Relief Milker - Animal Care Technician II

Job Summary

The Emmons Blaine Arlington Dairy Research Center is part of the Integrated Dairy Facilities for the Agricultural Research Stations at UW-Madison. This industry leading facility was built in 2008, and is home to 500 milking cows, roughly 100 dry cows, and 100 neo-natal calves. This sand bedded freestall dairy facility, in the heart of the Arlington Ag Research Station just 20 miles north of Madison, allows for the completion of pen-based nutrition work, mammary and reproductive physiology research, welfare and behavioral sciences studies, calf growth research, transition cow management projects, and individual animal intake information.

This position is involved in all aspects of the research dairy operations, including but not limited to, milking, feeding, cleaning, animal handling, and animal health observations at the facility. The daily responsibilities will include all activities involved with milking cows, taking and processing composite milk samples, and observing and handling the lactating cows in the research herd. The incumbent in this position must function with close, progressing to limited supervision over time once a clear understanding of the Standard Operating Procedures is developed. This position requires a high level of attention to detail in order to meet compliance needs of the research facility as well as that of a facility selling a food grade product. The person filling this role will need to be skilled in following written and oral instructions as directed by management and research protocols.

Scheduling for this position will be based on operational need (8-24 hour per week) with a required minimum work schedule to include an every other weekend rotation. The shift times for this position will either be 3:30AM-12:00PM or 1:00PM - 9:30PM. Some holiday assignments will also be required.

Key Job Responsibilities

• 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
• 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