Animal Care Technician II

The 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 must function with close, progressing to limited supervision. The incumbent in this position must work with limited supervision to collect, process, and composite milk samples according to established standard operating procedures.

• 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

• 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

ARS - Dairy Cattle Center, Madison, WI

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: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.pdf

• All necessary skills and knowledge will be taught during the first year on the job
• A positive attitude and commitment to learning about the care of dairy cattle
• Willingness to work hard and contribute positively to the work team
• Skills in communicating with fellow co-workers, the management team, faculty, and visitors in a professional manner

• Cattle handling and restraining techniques
• Basic techniques and principles involved in milking dairy cows
• Ability to accurately collect and record experimental samples and measurements
• Familiarity and ability to recognize the difference between normal and abnormal appearances and behavior in dairy cattle
• Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to farm equipment utilized routinely
• Skills in operating equipment related to farm work, or a willingness to learn them
• Ability to interpret, understand, and follow both written and oral instructions pertaining to research and the management protocols of the facility
• Clear understanding of the physiology of reproduction and lactation in dairy cattle
• Ability to recognize and interpret daily variations in feed intake, milk yield, and body weights
• Knowledge of the nutrient requirements of dairy cattle and neo-natal calves
• Understanding of the regulations related to the sanitation procedures required in the production of milk for human consumption
• Skills in advanced animal care procedures and techniques such as administration of various animal health related drugs, artificial insemination, transition cow management, and neo-natal calf care
• Ability to effectively lead others, along with the capacity to work and interact with students, faculty, and the public in a professional manner

H.S. Diploma Preferred Minimum

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

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.

Justin Cave, HR Generalist (justin.cave@wisc.edu or 608-263-3715)

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.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

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, click here.

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.