Agricultural Assistant I
About The Position
The Department of Animal Sciences' Dairy Research Unit is seeking an Agricultural Assistant I. This position is involved in all aspects of the research dairy operation, including but not limited to assisting with milking, cleaning, livestock handling and health and reproductive observations of animals at the facility. It is critical that the employee be adept at following written and oral instructions as directed by management, research and facility protocols. This position will cover the night shift milking at the dairy which begins at 5:00 pm and ends at 1:30 AM with a 00:30 hr shift interval. The position may at times require flexible hours. The individual must have the capacity to assist all employees in a consistent professional manner.
Requirements
- None
Nice To Haves
- High school diploma and 2 years relevant dairy experience and training.
- Demonstrated effective communication and collaborations skills.
- Strong work ethic.
- Dairy animal care experience.
Responsibilities
- General knowledge of milking facility performance, milking system performance, wash system performance and herd management system performance and cooling system performance will be expected.
- Routinely involved with milking operations.
- Assures compliance regarding transponders assigned to cow, will place, replace as needed and record information into AFI Milk.
- Perform the collection and storing of colostrum per SOP.
- Perform drug residue avoidance testing using designated residue test per SOP.
- Proper recording of milk production daily.
- Ensure all milking, washing and cooling systems are working properly, and that milk is being delivered properly to correct storage locations.
- Participate in onboarding training of new parlor employees, students, and volunteers.
- Plan and participate in continuing training courses for all parlor employees.
- Assures cows have adequate clean drinking water and feed available.
- Assures clean stalls with adequate bedding.
- Cleans barns and flush lanes assigned by farm supervisor.
- Assists with maintaining grounds, equipment and facilities.
- Observe animals for signs of health disorders, perform animal treatments and record keeping with attention to detail including drenching, administering intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections according to dairy unit SOP.
- Observe herd for lameness and take appropriate action with regards to lame cows, oversee foot bath protocol, and record and enter all data associated with animals.
- Participate with fresh cow checks per protocol.
- Assist with down cow cattle movement and care per protocol.
- Maintenance of all data that is entered into programs for accuracy regarding the milking herd.
- Assist with care for newborn calves, including occasional feeding of calves, providing clean bedding, clean water, and supportive care.
- Cooperation with faculty, students and others performing various research related tasks.
- Record keeping in compliance with research and dairy needs with attention to detail.
- Always keeping facilities clean and presentable for participants and visitors.
- Maintaining strict compliance with the written SOP’s currently in use or any that may be updated from time to time.
- Maintain the Dairy Research Unit’s role as learning laboratory for students by serving as a resource for faculty and students while they work with our dairy herd.
- Other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
