Animal Care Technician II

University of Wisconsin Madison•Stratford, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, established in 1912 and located near the state’s geographic center, is home to one of the nation’s premier dairy heifer research facilities. It operates 955 acres of land, supporting faculty, researchers, and students in the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the USDA Institute for Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management. This role involves preparing and mixing research diets for dairy cattle, conducting daily animal health observations, and performing animal handling, milking, feeding, and facility sanitation tasks. The position requires accurate feed sampling, data collection, and recording of research data. The successful candidate will work with fermented forages, feed components, and feed storage systems, and will operate equipment for large-scale cattle feeding. Duties also include daily cleaning and bedding of animal facilities, and safely moving and handling cattle for body weights and routine procedures. Additionally, this position will assist in milking cattle and maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the milking facility and livestock to meet Grade A dairy standards.

Requirements

Minimum of two years working in dairy
Understanding of mastitis
Experience mixing diets for cattle and feeding calves, heifers, and cows
Understands cattle handling and work in a calm manner around cattle
Experience operating tractors and skid loaders
High School Diploma

Responsibilities

Maintains organization of and updates records related to research procedures
Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specifications
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
Inspects and reports equipment problems to ensure optimal and safe operation
Inventories, cleans, and maintains organization of animal holding spaces and supplies
Prepares and mixes research diets for dairy cattle
Conducts daily animal health observations
Performs animal handling, milking, feeding, and facility sanitation tasks
Performs accurate feed sampling, data collection and recording of research data
Works with fermented forages, feed components, and feed storage systems
Operates equipment necessary for large-scale cattle feeding
Performs daily cleaning and bedding of animal facilities
Safely moves and handles cattle to obtain body weights and secure animals in headlocks for routine procedures
Assists in milking cattle
Maintains the cleanliness and sanitation of the milking facility and livestock to meet Grade A dairy standards