Animal Care Technician – Suffolk County Farm, Yaphank

Responsible for the daily feeding of the farm livestock and the cleaning of their living areas. May assist with animal sciences educational program set up for youth and adults, as requested. Acts as liaison between the visiting public and the farm administration, especially on weekends. Adheres to farm safety plan.

    

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent, including currently enrolled in HS with relevant experience.
• Ability to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals and work effectively and cooperatively with others. 
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including, but not limited to, lifting fifty (50) pound bags of feed and bales of hay.  Push full wheel barrels, carry 5 gallons (40#) water buckets, and feed animals over uneven terrain, ice, and mud.  Must be able to catch and restrain large (1000#) animals and have the stamina to hold up horse legs while performing hoof care, restrain goats and sheep for hoof care, deworming and clipping, and shearing.  Move 200# market hogs onto trailers.  Move 500# hog sows in the farrowing house. Repair fences and move calf hutches.
• Must be capable of climbing into the squeeze chute and over fences.
• Must have the ability to safely operate heavy equipment (some operable using hand and foot pedals), i.e., tractors, skidsteer/bobcat, manure spreader, etc. 
• Ability to complete tasks outdoors in all types of weather (snow, sleet, ice, rain, heat), i.e., raking, shoveling, carrying feed and water buckets to animals, climbing, lifting, etc. over slippery, muddy, icy terrain
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, inclement weather (snow, sleet, and ice storms) weekends, holidays, and evening hours, as needed;
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years of experience working on a farm, including the operation of heavy equipment.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

 

Administrative Responsibilities:

Management – 5%

• Monitor the overall health and physical condition of all of the farm animals.  Report any abnormalities to the Farm Livestock Manager.

Coordination/Operation – 90%

Animal Care (75%)

• Responsible for the daily feeding, care, and maintenance of the farm animals and cleaning their living areas. 
• As delegated by the Farm Livestock Manager, assume responsibility for herd health maintenance tasks, to include, but not limited to, measuring weight gain, administering medications and vaccinations, clean out horse, goat, llama, and sheep hooves, assist with breeding and birthing, ear notching and castration.
• As delegated by the Farm Coordinator and Veterinarian, provide emergency medical treatment for sick or injured animals.
• Adhere to the manure management plan.
• Acts as liaison between the visiting public and the farm administration, especially on weekends.
• Works with the Farm Livestock Manager to ensure that the animals that are a part of the high school or college large animal care programs are prepared to participate in these educational programs.
• Assist with animal sciences educational program set up, as needed

Data Entry & Other Admin Duties (10%)

• Documents daily activities in the farm logs, appropriate charts, and forms.
• Responsible for maintaining herd health management records and performing routine herd health maintenance tasks as scheduled.
• Responsible for maintaining the inventory of feed and veterinary supplies. Reports the need to order feed or veterinary supplies to the supervisor.
• Completes incident reports when needed.
• Provide support and guidance for interns and volunteers who are interested in working with large animals.

Facilities Support (5%)

• Assist other staff with farm chores as needed.

Professional Improvement – 5%

• In cooperation with Supervisor and Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and address changes and the Association’s priorities.
• Collaborate in activities in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety – Applied to all duties and functions

• Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar with and strive to follow applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement, and standards.
• Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

EEO/EPO and Policy – Applied to all duties and functions

• Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to diverse audiences.
• Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County policies, procedures, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
• Contribute to the organization’s overall success by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.  Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and support diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

POSITION DETAILS:

Salary: $17.84 per hour       

Hour: 20-32 hours a week depending on suitable candidates’ availability

Benefits: Full Benefits

Date Position Available:     February 24, 2024

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available

HOW TO APPLY:

Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates is obtained.

Applicants need to:

Attach/upload a resume to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload a cover letter to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload contacts info for three references to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.

In the “Experience” section of your application, use the Paperclip icon to search for file(s) or use the “Drop Files Here” box to manually drag document(s) into your application. Once the application is submitted, you will not be able to change your submission or add attachments.

External Applicants: (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations), please refer to the Applying for a Job (External Candidate) document for additional guidance.

Internal Applicants : Current employees of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association indicated in this job posting are considered internal applicants; please refer to the Applying for a Job (Internal Candidate) document for additional guidance.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform their essential functions. If you require an accommodation to participate in the selection process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Human Resources at (631) 727-7850 or via email at [email protected]

  

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and New York State residents.  Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies.  This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

  

Job Title:

Association Farm Worker II

Level:

006

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Sonja Baylor

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State.  Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies.  This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.