Dairy Milker

Position Function:

Perform milking duties for a large dairy herd maintain milk records and assume responsibility for good husbandry practices as related to health sanitation and general care of dairy animals.

Salary Grade:11

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC these positions are Unclassified and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 528 undergraduate students and 25 faculty both on campus and at research and extension centers throughout Mississippi. The Department conducts teaching research and extension activities on the 1200 acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and Bearden Research Dairy. The Bearden Center is a 350-animal dairy consisting of a modern double eight parallel milking parlor modern working facilities for the care of the replacement heifers and approximately 1200 acres of pasture and crop land.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

October 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare clean and manage the milking equipment parlor and tank room in accordance with sanitary standards.
2. Manage the free stall housing system.
3. Group and separate cattle as required.
4. Assist with heifer development.
5. Perform milking duties twice daily.
6. Operate computerized milking equipment.
7. Observe cows for health problems and performance levels.
8. Clean facilities and care for animals as circumstances require.
9. Monitor milk storage facilities to ensure quality of milk.
10. Assist with research activities.
11. Train and observe student workers with milking procedures.
12. Perform related duties as assigned.

Shifts will vary and can include early morning and/or afternoon milkings. The successful candidate will be expected to work weekends and holidays as needed and job requires flexible scheduling.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or GED.
Experience: One year experience in animal care.
Licensure: Valid drivers license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Dairy cattle production/milking experience and farm equipment operational experience.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of dairy cows.
Ability to work flexible schedules.
Ability to follow instructions.
Good communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Frequent heavy or intense physical requirements combined with exposure to a number of disagreeable elements such as heat cold noise dust dirt chemicals. Job frequently requires standing walking reaching climbing or balancing talking hearing handling objects with hands and lifting up to 50 pounds. Job occasionally requires sitting stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling and lifting more than 100 pounds.
Flexible schedules for working weekends and holidays.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: applicants must apply online at to be considered for this position. Attach to the application a resume and cover letter. Three names of reference along with contact information should be submitted with the application. Any questions should be directed to Ginger Cavinder PO Box 9815 Mississippi State MS 39762 or

Screening Date:

September 20 2025 until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment programs or activities based on race color ethnicity sex pregnancy religion national origin disability age sexual orientation genetic information status as a U.S. veteran or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance 231 Famous Maroon Band Street P.O. 6044 Mississippi State MS 39762 .

What do I do if I need an accommodation

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA) if you have a disability and wouldlike to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi StateUniversity please contact the Department of Human Resources Management attel: or.

If you have any questions regarding this policy contact the Department of Human ResourcesManagement ator. Upon request sections of thisjob listing are available in large print and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.