Farm Animal Attendant

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 years' 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.

The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) is an agricultural research farm located near Morris, MN. WCROC conducts research in dairy, swine, horticulture, and renewable energy resources and maintains a milking dairy herd and small farrow-to-finish swine operation. These herds are maintained for research and educational purposes. Approximately 1,100 acres of farmland including both crops and pastures provide feed, forage, and bedding for the livestock herds. Four faculty researchers are located at the WCROC along with approximately 30 other staff and students. WCROC has a full compliment of office and outreach space, shop and storage buildings, as well as livestock facilities.

Pay Range: Step 1 ($22.17 per hour); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff (Teamsters Local 320)

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).