Senior Farm Assistant

DairyNZ; Otago; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

DairyNZ is seeking a Senior Farm Assistant to help ensure farm and research activities run smoothly on our dairy farms near Hamilton East. You will perform milking, pasture management, and animal health tasks, while supporting trial protocols and data collection for research projects.

The role involves operating tractors, ATVs and farm implements, with a focus on safety, animal welfare, and environmental management.

Qualifications

• Two or more years' dairy farming experience.
• Strong animal husbandry and stock management skills.
• Experience operating farm machinery, including tractors, ATVs and farm implements.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A high level of attention to detail and confidence recording farm information accurately.
• A genuine interest in research, innovation and continuous improvement.
• A current full New Zealand driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Milk, feed allocation, pasture management, animal health treatments, calving, mating and seasonal stock management.
• Support research projects by implementing trial protocols, collecting accurate data and assisting with animal and pasture-based research activities.
• Operate and maintain farm machinery, equipment and infrastructure safely and effectively.
• Use initiative to identify issues, solve problems and contribute ideas for continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and support to junior team members, casual staff and contractors while leading by example.
• Help maintain the high standards of animal welfare, health and safety, and environmental management across DairyNZ farms.

Skills

Dairy farming

Animal husbandry

Stock management

Farm machinery operation

Communication

Attention to detail

Driver's licence

Tools

Tractors

ATVs

Farm implements

Job description

Deliver a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

We are full ofpeoplewho have a passion for doing goodand creating positive change.Weleverageour collective strength by bringingthedairysector together,helpingfarmers build more sustainable,profitableand resilient farm businesses,because a strong dairy sector means a strongNew Zealand.

At DairyNZ, our Research Farms are more than just farms.They'rewhere science meets farming, turning innovative research into practical solutions that help New Zealand dairy farmers be profitable,competitiveand sustainable.

Your opportunity

As a Senior Farm Assistant,you'llplayan important rolein ensuring our farm and research activities run smoothly.You'll:

Carry out key dairy farming activities including milking, feed allocation, pasture management, animal health treatments, calving,matingand seasonal stock management.

Support research projects by implementing trial protocols, collectingaccuratedataandassistingwith animal and pasture-based research activities.

Operate andmaintainfarm machinery,equipmentand infrastructure safely and effectively.

Use your initiative toidentifyissues, solveproblemsand contribute ideas for continuous improvement.

Provide guidance and support to junior team members, casual staff and contractors while leading by example.

Helpmaintainthehigh standardsof animal welfare, health and safety, and environmental management expected across DairyNZ farms.

DairyNZ strives tomaintaina safe working environment for all staff and contractors and therefore requires applicants to undergo a pre-employmentfull medical check including drug and alcohol testing.

Although this is a live out role, the farm is convenientlylocateda short 5-10 minute drive from Hamilton East.

Aboutyou

We'relooking for someone who enjoys farming, thrives in a team environment, and is curious about the research and innovation driving the future of the dairy industry.

You'llideally have:

Two or more years' dairy farming experience.

Strong animal husbandry and stock management skills.

Experience operating farm machinery, including tractors,ATVsand farm implements.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

A high levelof attention to detail and confidence recording farm information accurately.

A genuine interest in research,innovationand continuous improvement.

A current full New Zealand driver's licence.

Why you should join us

Make a difference-Together with our farmers, help us drive positive progress for the sector and country we love. Our credible work supports a sustainable future for farmers, theenvironmentand communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring the whole you-We put people at the heart of what we do. We welcome all that you are and support your wellbeing, so you thrive personally and professionally.

Join a vibrant culture-Be part of a team thattruly believesin our values. We have the courage to take bold action and the curiosity to drive innovation. Our credibility shines in our evidence-based work and our connectednessbuildsmeaningful, collaborative relationships.

Empowering you-We succeed when you do, which is why we champion the development and growth of our people. We empower you to do and be at your best through learning opportunities and great benefits.

Sound good to you? Come join ourteam who together, are making a difference.