Assistant Dairy Unit Coordinator

The University of Queensland; Lockyer Valley Regional; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Queensland invites applications for the Assistant Dairy Unit Coordinator at the Gatton Dairy Unit. You will support day-to-day management in a collaborative farm teaching, research and extension environment, delivering high-quality cattle care, husbandry, and herd performance.

The role involves pasture management, milking coordination, breeding activities, equipment upkeep, and support for teaching and research projects. Full-time fixed-term for 3 months at HEW Level 5.

Qualifications

• Diploma with at least two years of relevant work experience or Certificate IV with extensive relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of intensive pasture and grazing management.
• Sound knowledge of dairy cattle health, breeding, nutrition and behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Manage pasture production, grazing and daily feeding programs for milking herds and replacements.
• Coordinate milking and breeding activities, including artificial insemination, with welfare monitoring.
• Maintain dairy, fencing, irrigation and pasture equipment for safe operations.
• Provide support for teaching activities, student programs and research projects.

Skills

Dairy cattle husbandry

Artificial insemination

Milking

Pasture management

Front-end loader operation

Education

Diploma

Certificate IV

Job description

About This Opportunity

The Assistant Dairy Unit Coordinator supports the Dairy Coordinator in the purposeful, day-to-day management of the Gatton Dairy Unit. Working within a collaborative commercial farm, teaching, research and extension environment, you will help deliver high-quality animal care, husbandry, breeding and herd performance outcomes that enable UQ staff and students to create meaningful change together. UQ is also strengthening pathways into the agriculture sector through its AgriSkills Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind program helping students from diverse disciplines explore careers in Australian agriculture.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Manage pasture production, grazing and daily feeding programs for milking herds, dry stock and replacement heifer groups.
• Coordinate milking and designated breeding activities, including artificial insemination, while monitoring animal health and welfare.
• Maintain dairy, fencing, irrigation and pasture-production equipment to support safe and reliable operations.
• Provide logistical, technical and practical support for teaching activities, student experience programs and research projects.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 3 months at HEW Level 5.

About You

Completion of a Diploma with at least two years of subsequent relevant work experience, completion of a Certificate IV with extensive relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.

Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in intensive pasture and grazing management, including irrigation management.

Sound knowledge of dairy cattle husbandry, breeding, nutrition, health and behaviour.

Demonstrated competency in artificial insemination, milking and the safe handling of all classes of dairy cattle using low-stress stock-handling techniques.

Experience operating relevant vehicles and agricultural equipment, with a current C class driver's licence.

A Certificate of Competency for operating a front-end loader, side-by-side vehicle and tractor, together with an MR licence, or the willingness to obtain these within three months of appointment.

A Queensland Working with Children Check, commonly known as a Blue Card, ChemCert accreditation in agricultural and veterinary chemicals, and a commercial operator's licence issued under applicable agricultural chemical legislation, or the ability to obtain these credentials.

The ability to work collaboratively with operational, academic and research colleagues while providing practical support to students and research activities.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, mandatory immunisations and Blue Card checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. It is a condition of this position that you will be available to work on weekends and public holidays when required. You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We're also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close Sunday 8 November at 11.00pm AEST (R-70100).

About the University of Queensland (UQ)

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.

At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million).

Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries.

UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way.

UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.

We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability.

Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed.

Explore our current job openings, discover our programs and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work.

For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.