Animal Care Technician - Milker

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Job Category:

University Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Animal Care Technician II

Job Summary:

The Emmons Blaine Arlington Dairy Research Center is part of the Integrated Dairy Facilities for the Agricultural Research Stations at UW-Madison. This industry leading facility was built in 2008, and is home to 500 milking cows, roughly 100 dry cows, and 100 neo-natal calves. This sand bedded freestall dairy facility, in the heart of the Arlington Ag Research Station just 20 miles north of Madison, allows for the completion of pen-based nutrition work, mammary and reproductive physiology research, welfare and behavioral sciences studies, calf growth research, transition cow management projects, and individual animal intake information.

This position is involved in all aspects of the research dairy operations, including but not limited to, milking, feeding, cleaning, animal handling, and animal health observations at the facility. The daily responsibilities will include all activities involved with milking cows, taking and processing composite milk samples, and observing and handling the lactating cows in the research herd. The incumbent in this position must function with close, progressing to limited supervision over time once a clear understanding of the Standard Operating Procedures is developed. This position requires a high level of attention to detail in order to meet compliance needs of the research facility as well as that of a facility selling a food grade product. The person filling this role will need to be skilled in following written and oral instructions as directed by management and research protocols.

Scheduling for this position will be based on operational need (8-24 hour per week) with a required minimum work schedule to include an every other weekend rotation.  The shift times for this position will either be 3:30AM-12:00PM or 1:00PM - 9:30PM. Some holiday assignments will also be required.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Observes animal behavior, performs basic animal care, and reports concerns to the appropriate entities to contribute to the health and well-being of animals and promote research

• Collects samples from animals and administers medications, injections, and treatments according to established protocols and procedures to be used for diagnostic tests and research

• Inventories, cleans, and maintains organization of animal holding spaces and supplies

• Inspects and reports equipment problems to ensure optimal and safe operation

• Maintains organization of and updates records related to research procedures

• Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specifications

Department:

ARS - Emmons Blaine Dairy, Arlington, WI

Compensation:

Final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.pdf

Required Qualifications:

• Full training provided during the first year on the job
• Willingness to learn, work hard and contribute positively to the work team
• Effective Communication Skills
• Ability to interpret and follow written and oral instructions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Basic techniques and principles involved in milking dairy cows
• Skills in operating equipment to perform farm work

Education:

H.S. Diploma Preferred

Schedule:

Scheduling for this position will be based on operational need to include 40 hours per week with five 8 hour days that include 1 day off during the week and a rotating every other weekend schedule. The shift time for this position will be 1:00PM - 9:30PM. Some holiday assignments will also be required.

How to Apply:

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:

Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background

Cover Letter (optional) - Refer to your related work experience

Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Additional Informatin:

• Criminal Background Check may be required
• Evaluation/Probationary Period may be required
• Working conditions, lifting requirements, driving authorization
• Work Authorization:
• he successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States by the start of the appointment. (This statement is always included unless the department/unit wants to sponsor the visa.)
• Pending the units preference to choose/not to sponsor, the following statement can also be included: University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Contact Information:

Andrew Vaudt, HR Generalist ([email protected])

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.