Gatton Farms: Dairy Unit
Multiple Casual opportunities
Hourly rate for casual positions will be in the range $38 - $40 per hour + penalty rates + 11.5% super for HEW 1; or $42 - $47 per hour + penalty rates + 11.5% super for HEW 3
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About UQ's Gatton Campus
Established over 125 years ago, UQ's Gatton Campus has a long history – from starting out as a dedicated agricultural institution, to being a field hospital during WWII, and to joining the UQ community in 1990. Join an organisation where all contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
Free parking
On campus childcare, medical clinic, and post office
26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
17% superannuation contributions
17.5% annual leave loading
25% discount on eligible UQ Vets services
Access to our $4.1 million UQ Sports facility
About This Opportunity
The Gatton Dairy Unit is a joint initiative of The University of Queensland (UQ) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). Each year more than 3 million litres of milk are produced, from approximately 320 milking cows. The production system is comprised of a Partial/Total mixed ration based on silage which is fed using a mixer wagon and grazing of temperate and tropical pastures at Gatton campus. All calves and dry stock are kept on site, allowing for a closed herd and multiple income streams including Milk, Beef, Teaching and Research revenue streams.
The unit operates 7 days per week and runs with two shifts per day: one starting at 3:30am and the other at either 10 am or midday depending on the tasks being carried out on the day.
We are seeking a proactive and motivated dairy attendant to assist with the day-to-day operations. Reporting to the Dairy Coordinator you will assist in the day to day running of the dairy on the Gatton campus.
Key responsibilities will include:
At HEW 1
Ensure animal facilities, including stalls and work areas, are kept safe, clean, hygienic, and secure, and perform basic maintenance.
Assist with animal handling, including collection, loading, restraining, movement, feeding, and specialized tasks such as milking and calf rearing.
Support students and staff during animal examinations, treatments, and welfare monitoring.
Perform basic farmhand tasks, including cleaning, waste removal, and refuse disposal.
Operate a University vehicle as required for operational duties.
At HEW 3
Maintain dairy equipment, fences, and equipment used in irrigation and pasture production.
Assist with feeding dairy stock using a telescopic loader and mixer wagon.
Perform routine animal husbandry tasks, monitoring health, hygiene, and welfare, and report veterinary issues.
Provide teaching and research support to academic staff and students in practical experience programs, and assist with research projects, including experiment setup and monitoring.
Assist with milking, artificial insemination, and maintain accurate farm records, including animal health and production data.
At HEW 1
Completion of Year 10
Queensland open driver's license (class C)
Physically capable of carrying out duties (Manual labour including shovelling, lifting, and working in warm environments)
Capacity to work in a team environment.
Capacity to relate well and communicate with a wide range of people including staff, students, clients and outside suppliers.
Understand the value of excellent client service.
Care and compassion for all dairy animals
Basic computer skills would be highly regarded
Previous experience in a Dairy or Livestock System would be desirable
At HEW 3
Completion of a trades certificate or Certificate III in a relevant discipline, or completion of Year 12 or a Certificate II with relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
Heavy Rigid license or willingness to obtain within three months, would be highly regarded
Current driver's license
Possession of or the ability to obtain a Blue Card
Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to liaise with a variety of university staff, students and clients of the Dairy Unit.
Basic computer proficiency using Microsoft suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel).
Sound knowledge of the operation and maintenance of dairy equipment, fences and related infrastructure necessary for livestock management and fodder production.
Sound knowledge of all aspects of dairy farming including husbandry, breeding, nutrition, health, and behaviour of dairy cattle.
Ideally, you will also bring:
(1) certificate of competency in artificial insemination;
(2) certificate of competency in the operation of a front-end loader; and
(3) ChemCert accreditation in Agriculture and Veterinary Chemicals; and
(4) a Commercial Operators license issued under the ACDC Act.
However, if you don't already have these, we'll work with you to obtain them within 3 months of your start date.
Additionally, it is a condition of employment for this role that you will be required to be immunised against certain vaccine preventable diseases.
In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mr Steven Duncan at [email protected]. For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Cover letter addressing the ‘About You' section
Resume
At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion. We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, age. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected].
If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.
Applications close February 28th 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-44635).
Please note applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be interviewed prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.