Job Summary

The Farm Technician has a key role as NTC trains and educates the next generation in farming and agribusiness. This role assists in crop management, herd nutrition, and equipment maintenance, including robotic systems. The Technician will be responsible for properly caring for the College herd including all aspects of animal care, animal husbandry, and proper record keeping.

This Casual position will work Fridays and weekends during the initial training period. Once training is completed, the Farm Technician will work occasional weekends. The position is estimated to work 20 to 30 hours per month.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Properly care for the College herd including all aspects of animal care, animal husbandry, and proper record keeping.

• Operate and properly maintain all farm equipment including planting and harvesting equipment as well as robotic equipment.

• Ensure quality milk is delivered to our community by ensuring all milking equipment is operational and maintained to the highest industry standards.

• Maintain the Agriculture Center of Excellence’s role as a learning laboratory for students by serving as a resource for faculty and students while they work with our dairy herd.

• Follow all related regulations regarding handling of animals, milk quality, and animal waste.

Minimum Qualifications Required

In limited circumstances, NTC may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Education: Associate's Degree (or Equivalent)

Experience: 2 years

Additional Experience Information:

Dairy animal care

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, including language skills, reasoning and mathematical abilities are essential.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, write and comprehend instructions, reports and emails; speak and may present information to groups.

Math Skills:

Ability to accurately add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure; compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions to critically create resolutions; interpret instructions in mathematical or diagram form with abstract and concrete variables.

Technical Skills:

Ability to perform complex operations in a variety of job-specific systems, understand functionality to apply advanced functions, manage/customize and create calculations with data.

Customer Service Skills:

Ability to actively listen, discern key information, and respond professionally; ask follow up or clarifying questions to diffuse escalated situations and offer appropriate problem resolution when necessary.

Other Requirements

A valid Wisconsin Driver's License.

Physical Requirements

Carrying/Lifting 10-25 lbs: Medium

Carrying/Lifting 25-50 lbs: Medium

Carrying/Lifting >50 lbs: Medium

Sitting: Low

Standing/Walking/Climbing: High

Squatting/Crouching/Kneeling/Bending: Medium

Repetitive Hand/Foot Movement: Medium

Pushing/Pulling/Reaching Above Shoulder: Low

Work Environment

Indoor/Office Work Environment: Low

Outdoor Weather Conditions: High

Irritated or Agitated Individuals: N/A

Hostile or Violent Individuals: N/A

Hazardous Fumes/Odors/Toxic Chemicals: Low

Confined Spaces (as identified by OSHA): Low

Work-Related Travel: N/A

Smell Requirement: Low

Specific Vision: Medium

Hearing: Medium

Taste: N/A