Animal Care Technician III

Animal Care Technician IIIThe Dairy Cattle Center is part of the Integrated Dairy Facilities for the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at UW-Madison. This industry leading facility is located in the heart of the UW-Madison campus and is home to 84 lactating cows. This facility plays a critical role in supporting the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the university. The capacity for unique, individualized nutrition based research, as well as research on mammary and reproductive physiology, and transition cow management. In addition, the ability for intensive hands-on learning opportunities makes this facility one of a kind.This position is involved in all aspects of research dairy operations, including but not limited to, milking, feeding, cleaning, handling, and animal health observations at the facility. This position is a lead worker in the absence of management must be able to maintain the operation with limited supervision. The incumbent in this position must be able to lead the collection and processing of composite milk samples as well as additional research data collections according to established standard operating procedures. The person in this position will also work closely with student employees by leading, training, and assisting them with normal daily farm operations.Key Job Responsibilities:Prepares food and formulas and feeds animals according to established schedules and specificationsTracks inventory levels of animal supplies and places replenishment ordersCleans and maintains organization of animal holding spacesObserves animal behavior, performs animal care, and reports concerns to the appropriate entities to contribute to the health and well-being of animals in support of research and instructionCollects samples from animals and administers medications, injections, and treatments according to established protocols and procedures to be used for diagnostic and researchMaintains organization of and updates records related to work unit proceduresLeads the day-to-day operational activities of an animal care work unit and facilitates staff training as neededInspects, maintains, and initiates complex repairs to equipment to ensure optimal and safe operationDepartment:ARS - Dairy Cattle Center, Madison, WICompensation:The minimum salary for this position is $22.00 per hour, however, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: Qualifications:Demonstrated knowledge of milking procedures and milk quality standards (e.g., preparing cows for milking, identifying abnormal milk, and following sanitation protocols)Experience maintaining responsibility for recognizing changes in dairy cattle health and behavior (e.g., signs of illness, lameness, reduced milk production, decreased feed intake, etc.)Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel to log data, send emails, and maintain digital records.Experience following detailed written protocols and verbal instructions in a research or agricultural setting (e.g., collecting samples, recording observations, and completing assigned tasks)Experience leading others and working with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., training employees, assisting students, collaborating with faculty, interacting with visitors, etc.)Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including extended periods of standing, lifting and moving supplies, and working in varying weather conditions and barn environments.Preferred Qualifications:Experience handling and restraining dairy cattle (e.g., moving animals through milking facilities, sorting cattle, and assisting with routine procedures)Experience collecting and recording animal or research-related data (e.g., milk samples, body weights, health observations, and treatment records)Experience operating and performing minor maintenance on farm equipment (e.g., milking equipment, tractors, skid steers, and utility vehicles)Experience involving dairy cattle reproduction, lactation, or performing advanced animal care procedures (e.g., administering treatments, assisting with artificial insemination, and neonatal calf care)Education:H.S. Diploma Preferred Minimum