Animal Care Technician II

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Job Category:

University Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Animal Care Technician II

Job Summary:

Tucked in a bend of the Wisconsin River about 30 miles north of Madison, the field facilities of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center are a catalog of current dairy technology.

This position is a feed mixing/feeding position for cows and calves with occasional duties milking cows,  and moving cattle to parlor. Other duties may include cleaning, handling, and general care of the dairy cattle in an efficient and accurate manner. This position uses the employee’s experience and training to complete tasks and to care for livestock with limited supervision.

To be successful in this position you must also exhibit a positive working attitude, communicate well and develop a good working relationship with co-workers and supervisors and show initiative to see what needs to be done and to get it done.  Previous farm experience is preferred, though we are willing to train a candidate desiring to learn.

Please see more about the Dairy Forage Research Center here: https://dairyforage.ars.wisc.edu/

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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
• Maintains organization of and updates records related to research procedures
• Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specifications

Department:

UW-Madison Dairy Forage Research Center

Required Qualifications:

Experience operating skid steers, tractors, or other farm and utility equipment (e.g., using a skid steer to clean pens, move feed, or transport materials)

Prior farm or agricultural work experience (e.g., general farm labor, agricultural internships, or seasonal agricultural work)

Ability to work safely and effectively in an agricultural environment, including around large livestock, farm equipment, and operational hazards (e.g., following safety protocols when working near cattle, skid steers, or uneven surfaces, and using PPE as required)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of dairy cattle handling and animal husbandry principles, with the ability and willingness to learn animal health monitoring, recordkeeping, and treatment protocols through on the job training. (e.g., safely moving and handling cows, observing changes in behavior or appetite, and learning to document health observations as trained)
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interpret and follow written and oral instructions.   (e.g., accurately following written procedures or communicating concerns or task completion to a supervisor)
• Team focused approach with a willingness to learn, assist others, and contribute to shared goals.
• Work Schedule: This is a morning position hours of work are 3:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 4 ten-hour days with alternating 3 day weekends off or working.
• Education: H.S. Diploma Preferred
• Additional Information: Criminal Background Check is required
• Evaluation/Probationary Period required
• Work will vary between non-climate-controlled animal housing and outdoors in all weather conditions. Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• How to Apply: Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:
• Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background
• Cover Letter (optional) - Refer to your related work experience
• Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process .
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
• Contact Information: Andrew Vaudt, HR Generalist ( andrew.vaudt@wisc.edu )
• Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website .
• To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation  for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)  in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
• Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
• The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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