Milker

Milker

Requirements

• Two years of experience in farm work or maintaining livestock; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Able and willing to work rotating shifts.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist cows in milking;
• Set up pipeline system to transfer milk to bulk tank storage;
• Engage refrigeration unit for product transfer;
• Monitor and execute critical product temperature benchmarks;
• Identify and isolate clinical mastitis and other health conditions of infected cows, and treat according to protocol.
• Work with researchers in the gathering of milk samples and experimental data.
• Coordinate animal movement of 150 to 180 individual cows.
• Engage milking claws, pulsators, and hosing system within a double 5 herringbone parlor.
• Perform routine maintenance and repair of technologically advanced computer interfaced milking system;
• Identify and troubleshoot failing pulsators, claws, hosing, pipeline, and bulk tank equipment items;
• Monitor and execute system function;
• Organize and maintain inventory of parts and materials related to the milking process.
• Execute daily sanitation per protocol of parlor, general milk house facilities, holding pens, milking systems, and milk storage tanks.
• Training and direct student help in routine milking assisted duties;
• Work in cooperation with researchers in executing and gathering experimental data;
• Interact with students in class instruction laboratory settings.
• Operate manure separator as needed;
• Operate loader for feeding process and cleaning stall maintenance as needed;
• Perform additional duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four years experience in large animal agriculture (dairy preferred);
• Bachelor’s Degree in animal or dairy science;
• 2 years milking experience;
• Knowledge in sanitation of food processing equipment.