Farm Animal Attendant (FAA)

The successful applicant will work a 40-hour week on a rotating schedule, typically between 5 AM and 5:30 PM. This schedule will include work on every third 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 primarily with dairy calves. This work will include outdoor activities in all seasons of the year.

UMN Southern Research and Outreach Center is a 930 acre research farm located in Waseca, MN. As an active farming operation, SROC has research programs in the areas of Agronomy, Dairy, Horticulture, Nematology, Soil Management, 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 Calves (65% of time)

• Mix, prepare, feed for multiple diets and care for dairy calves
• Monitor health of calves, identify, and treat sick animals
• Administer vaccines, injections, dehorning, collect blood and fecal samples
• Help collect and record data outlined in research trial protocols
• Assist in feed preparations as needed in feed management facility
• Handle, move, and sort animals up to 700 lbs.
• Collect accurate samples, weights, hip heights, fecal scores, etc.

Maintain Facilities and Equipment (25% of time)

• Maintain barns in clean, working order
• Maintain animal bedding to provide clean, dry pens
• Maintain and clean waterers and feeding equipment
• Power wash and disinfect barns and equipment
• Cleaning of equipment such as pails, calf pens, work areas, cattle trailer, etc. and maintenance and repairs of buildings and equipment
• Clean livestock barns of liquid and dry manure, spread manure, operate and maintain liquid manure agitators
• Operate a variety of equipment. Includes, but not limited to tractor and loader, skid loader, truck and 5th wheel trailer, bedding chopper, manure spreaders, haybines, balers, and related equipment

Miscellaneous (10% of time)

• Weekly trips to area farms to pick up calves
• Follow bio-security protocols and communicate them with others
• Assist in other departments of the Southern Research and Outreach Center when necessary
• 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 75 lbs. or more. Ability to work outdoors in all seasons during inclement weather. * Good
  communication skills

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).