University of Wisconsin - Madison
| Position Vacancy ID: 82914 |
| Title: ANIMAL RESEARCH TECH |
| Working Title: | ANIMAL RESEARCH TECH |
| FTE: | 1 |
| Schedule - Range: | 06-09 |
| Organization: | COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL & LIFE SCIENCES - DAIRY SCIENCE |
Schedule
Comment: | Five days per week, eight hours per day, with every other weekend off. Daily hours will be flexible to meet operational and research needs. |
| Job Summary: | Responsible for routine care of lactating cows and calves. Will specifically assist with research projects relating to feeding lactating cows and milk fed calves. This position will also assist with demands related to grazing work scheduled for spring and summer months of 2010. Schedule will be five days per week, eight hours per day, with every other weekend off. Daily hours will be flexible to meet operational and research needs. |
Goals and Worker Activities
| A. | 60% | Perform activities associated with conducting lactating cow research projects |
| | 1. | Milk research cows and collect milk samples as directed by principal investigators |
| | 2. | Ensure all relevant lactation data is collected by the Westafalia Surge parlor software |
| | 3. | Provide research feed to appropriate cows as directed by principal investigators |
| | 4. | Keep research groups of animals appropriately segregated and ensure animal co-mingling is minimized |
| | 5. | Keep feeding areas clean |
| | 6. | Ensure organization of feed rooms and feeding areas at all times |
| | 7. | Move cattle to and from grazing research paddocks |
| | 8. | Ensure integrity of fencing around all grazing paddocks and report any abnormalities to management. |
| | | |
| B. | 10% | Perform Activities associated with conducting neonatal calf research |
| | 1. | Follow principal investigator directives for completing neonatal calf projects |
| | 2. | Ensure all calves are fed appropriate milk replacer volumes and/or whole unpasteurized milk as directed by management |
| | 3. | Observe all calves for health and thriftiness and report any deviations from normal to onsite management. |
| | 4. | Record all data for research projects as directed by principal investigators and management |
| | 5. | Keep milk preparation room and calf feeding areas clean and orderly at all times |
| | | |
| C. | 30% | General tasks associated with a large research dairy |
| | 1. | Clean cow stalls of all waste and add bedding as directed by management |
| | 2. | Move cattle in a calm manner to and from the milking parlor |
| | 3. | Assist in restraining cattle for routine veterinary and management procedures |
| | 4. | Milk all cattle in accordance with facility standard operating procedure |
| | 5. | Maintain milking equipment in conditions indicative of a Grade A milking facility |
| | 6. | Identify mastitic animals and treat according to standard operating procedures |
| | 7. | Other duties assigned by management. |
| | | |
Knowledge and Skills
- Must be conscientious and willing to work as part of a team.
- Must have a basic understanding or competency in the following areas:
i. Dairy cattle husbandry
ii. Physiology of lactation
iii. Principles of machine and hand milking
iv. Dairy cattle feeds and feeding
v. Importance of detailed protocols and records for research
vi. Ability to closely follow written and oral directions
vii. Use of varied instruments for collecting accurate measurements of
1. Body weights
2. Feed weights
3. Milk production
4. Intake measurements
viii. Recognize subtle differences between normal and abnormal cattle behavior
ix. Safe and correct usage of all farm equipment and follow all safety directives of the farm
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to respond to actions of a 300 to 1400 pound animal to prevent being stepped on and/or pinned against a gate. Position requires frequent bending, lifting and twisting. Position also requires frequent wrist motions.