Dairy Farm Assistant
Full TimeJob Description
Our family-owned raw milk farm, located in Middlebrook, VA, is looking for a full-time Dairy Farm Assistant. Creambrook Farm is a grass-based dairy with its cows on pasture for 365 days per year. We truly value our employees, and you would be an integral part of our team to ensure that our farm remains operational and in good repair and our herd is well cared for.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to: participating in the daily operations of our farm, routine maintenance of farm equipment, and meeting high standards during milking. This is a wonderful opportunity for a motivated and experienced individual to join a growing dairy farm and to contribute towards its future success.
Duties
- Routine maintenance and repair of building facilities, heavy equipment, and farm machinery.
- Maintain feeding equipment such as the skid steer, mixer wagon, etc.
- Operate farm equipment, including but not limited to, tractor operation.
- Assist with facilities construction / projects.
- Crop / field work including, but not limited to: bush hogging, harvesting hay, mowing, planting, etc..
- Maintain fencing.
- Assist with feeding the herd.
- Assist with rotation / moving of the herd.
- Assist the herdsman with observing the herd for signs of injury or illness.
- Assist the herdsman with the preparation of and milking cows as needed, based upon staffing needs.
- Field record keeping.
- Maintain up-to-date routine maintenance records.
- Complete any other responsibilities as assigned by the owner, direct supervisor, and other members of the Creambrook leadership team.
Job Requirements
- Working knowledge in farming and/or heavy equipment operation.
- Ability to operate and maintain equipment, including but not limited to: skid steer, feed cart, tractor, bush hog, mowing equipment, etc. (Willingness and ability to learn to operate equipment as needed).
- Requires frequent walking, lifting, moving, pushing, and pulling objects up to 75 pounds. Must be able to bend, lift, stoop, stretch, crawl, and other activities to perform job responsibilities.
- Ability to work well with and enjoy being around cows.
Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to successfully work with little or no supervision; self-starter.
- Demonstrate good attendance.
- Flexibility in hours necessary, as rotating weekends and holidays are required.
- Effective communicator.
- Ability to build and maintain positive, professional, and collaborative relationships with the Creambrook team, vendors, and the public.
- Demonstrate high personal energy levels (commitment, initiative, persistence).
- Dedication to our Creambrook culture which focuses on positivity in the face of challenges and in promoting the team and our herd share members before oneself.
Schedule:
- Rotating schedule (4 days on, 3 days off), typically between the hours of 5 AM – 6 PM, including monthly rotating weekends and some holidays.
- The work schedule may be subject to change, based on staffing needs for the farm as well as to satisfactorily complete job responsibilities.
- Occasional evening work may be necessary to effectively complete the requirements of this position.
Compensation:
- Compensation will be highly dependent on previous relatable experiences and qualifications.
- Exempt / hourly status.
- Potential opportunity to receive a retention bonus on an annual basis.
- 10 days paid vacation (80 hours) per calendar year, prorated based upon hire date.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 – $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40 per week
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute:
- Middlebrook, VA 24459 (Required)
Work Location: In person