Dairy Technician

Job Description

This position is for a milk parlor operator. Duties are to assist in the harvest of milk during the first session of the day. Operator prepares the milking equipment and bulk tank milks cows and cleans equipment and milk parlor. Operator is responsible for the detection of abnormal milk or mastitis and record findings. Operator is responsible for basic maintenance of parlor equipment and some record keeping. The first milk session begins at 1:00 a.m. and concludes at 6:00 a.m.

This position also includes a precision feed operator. Operator prepares multiple Totally Mixed Rations (TMR) and delivers to the dairy herd. Rations must be precisely prepared and delivered using a TMR vertical mix wagon. Operator is responsible for inventory control in the preparation of all rations. Feeding of the herd begins at 7:00 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge of general dairy husbandry and milking procedures; Ability to operate farm equipment and knowledge of the harvest of milk and milk equipment; Ability to follow precise research and teaching protocols. Operate large farm equipment; Ability to perform heavy manual labor handle mature dairy animals and work in adverse conditions; Ability to communicate proper procedures to students.

Preferred Qualifications

B.S degree in Dairy Science or Animal Science. Experience in the preparation and delivery of a dairy TMR as well as experience in the harvest of milk. Artificial insemination certification to assist in the breeding of the herd would be a plus.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

38000 - 44000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

April 19 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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