Farm Animal Attendant

University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research center in Minnesota seeks a dedicated Farm Animal Attendant to care for dairy cattle and swine, collect experimental data, and maintain facilities. The role involves outdoor work in all seasons and requires physical stamina. Candidates should have experience in animal care and be able to lift heavy loads. Join a team committed to agricultural research and animal welfare.

Qualifications

• 3 years experience in farm animal care or equivalent coursework.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work outdoors in all weather.

Responsibilities

• Feed and care for dairy cattle and swine.
• Monitor health and treat sick animals.
• Maintain facilities and equipment.

Skills

Animal Care

Data Collection

Record Keeping

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

The successful applicant will work a 40-hour week of 8 hours per day. This schedule will include work on every other weekend and holidays in rotation with other team members to care for and feed animals 7 days a week and carry out research protocols. The successful applicant will be expected to work with dairy, cattle, and swine. This work will include outdoor activities in all seasons of the year. UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center is a 1,100 acre research farm located near Morris, MN with approximately 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of crops. As an active farming operation, WCROC has research programs in the areas of Dairy, Horticulture, Renewable Energy, and Swine.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)
(These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit assignment of related tasks but are consistent with Farm Animal Attendant class description)

Collect Experimental Data and Care for Dairy Cattle (35% of time)

• Feed and care for dairy cattle
• Monitor health of cattle and treat sick animals
• Care for calves
• Detect heat and artificially inseminate cows and heifers
• Install fences in pastures
• Move cattle to pastures
• Administer vaccines
• Operate feed mixing equipment
• Record data outlined in research protocols
• Help collect data as part of research trial
• Keep routine management and organic certification records up to date and accurate

Collect Experimental Data and Care for Swine (35% of time)

• Feed and care for swine
• Daily observation of health and keep accurate records of treatments and deaths
• Administer vaccines
• Collect data outlined in experimental protocols
• Process newborn piglets
• Adjust feeding and watering equipment as needed
• Detect heat and artificially inseminate breeding sows
• Collect semen from herd boars
• Operate feed mixing equipment
• Keep accurate breeding records
• Keep routine management records up to date and accurate.

Maintain Facilities and Equipment (15% of time)

• Maintain barns, feedlots, pastures, feedmill and contents in clean, working order
• Help with hauling manure, and stacking hay when needed
• Help in the maintenance and fabrication of equipment and buildings when needed for experimental and remodeling projects
• Maintain permanent fencing around pastures and lots.

Miscellaneous (15% of time)

• Power wash and disinfect barnes and equipment
• Temporary assignment to other teams on the center during periods of high labor needs in other teams
• Occasionally milk cows
• Help students complete experimental work when needed
• Record data on computerized herd management software
• Record data and task activity on various electronic management software and platforms
• Assist with feed, forage, and bedding transport and storage including during harvest
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Qualifications

• High School graduate with three yearsâ experience in farm animal care or combination of academic coursework and related work experience to total 3 years. .
• The ability to: walk or stand for the majority of day; bend, climb, kneel; carry, lift, push and pull 50 lbs. or more. Ability to work outdoors in all seasons during inclement weather.