Temporary Milker - Teaching Dairy Barn

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great benefits

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a full-time temporary dairy barn supervisor to oversee the Teaching Dairy Barn operations in Ithaca, NY. The role involves milking, equipment operation, animal care, feeding, and health event management.

The position requires CDL license, ability to handle heavy liftings, and willingness to work in seasonal conditions. Onsite work with great benefits and a path toward extension based on funding.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience milking in a dairy milking parlor.
• Exceptional animal handling skills.
• Experience driving farm equipment, specifically skid steers & ATV.
• Basic reading, writing, and computer skills.
• Ability to lift 100 lbs and push/pull/carry.
• Excellent communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Milking cows twice daily.
• Operate a skid steer.
• Manual cleaning of equipment.
• Feeding youngstock and mature cattle.
• Observe, report, and manage health events.

Skills

Animal handling

Dairy milking experience

Equipment operation

Communication

Physical strength

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

NYS CDL Class B with air brake endorsement

Tools

Skid steer operation

Job description

The Teaching Dairy Barn is a 24-hour/7-days a 7-day-a-week operation. This position involves direct oversight of approximately 200 adult cattle and 30 calves. Primary duties are typical of a commercial dairy operation and include milking cows twice daily, operating a skid steer, manual cleaning of equipment, feeding youngstock and mature cattle, as well as observing, reporting, and managing health events as needed.

Additional responsibilities are typical of commercial dairy operations, and include, but are not limited to:

• Traveling with a commercial feed truck to collect feed daily
• Traveling with truck and trailer to transport livestock
• Cleaning and maintaining Teaching Dairy Facilities and equipment (manually cleaning manure and soiled bedding from cow stalls, box stalls, tie stalls, bedded pack, and calf hutch areas and washing and disinfecting facilities with manual scrubbing and/or pressure washer)
• Lifting bales of hay/ bagged feed/ etc., and adhering to written protocols.

Exceptional animal handling skills are required. Our employees have frequent interactions with students, researchers, faculty, and visitors. Professional and courteous conduct is necessary at all times.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience milking in a dairy milking parlor
• Exceptional animal handling skills
• Experience driving farm equipment, specifically skid steers & ATV
• Basic reading, writing, and computer skills
• Ability to lift 100 lbs. and be able to push, pull, carry, stretch, and reach on a regular basis.
• Excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail
• Must possess a NYS CDL CLASS B license with air brake endorsement
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test and be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• Willingness and ability to work in unfavorable seasonal conditions (summer/winter temperatures), unfavorable environmental conditions (eg., dusty straw or hay), and in unpredictable animal environments. The possibility of being kicked or bitten by an animal is always present.

Important Details about the Position

• This is a full-time (40 hours), 6-month temporary position with potential to extend based on funding and performance.
• This is an onsite position located in Ithaca, NY.
• We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for this position.
• Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Offer:

Great benefits! Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health. Follow this link for more information: https://hr.cornell.edu/understand-your-benefits

Questions?

Gabriel Gonzalez - [e-mail]

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of ... any person ... any study. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-09-18