Summary
The Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine (LIU-CVM)
in Brookville, New York, invites applications from self-directed, innovative
and motivated individuals for a full-time Farm Animal Team Leader Caretaker
position at the College’s new 60-acre beef cattle facility in Yaphank, New
York. The successful candidate may be engaged in the College of Veterinary
Medicine’s educational and service activities. Primary responsibilities will
include daily care of the livestock, farm upkeep and preparation for LIU-CVM
laboratories at the facility. Equipment
operation and agronomic activities will be detailed commensurate with the
candidate’s experience and training. Along
with other caretakers, duties include care of livestock during weekends and
holidays. The successful candidate is expected to promote LIU-CVM’s overall
mission of enhancing veterinary medical education through a commitment to
teaching, academic excellence, and service to a variety of stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities
- This position requires diligent and responsible labor and sound judgement when
independent of constant personal supervision at a remote site.
- This position serves as an assistant and delegate of the Farm Veterinarian
- Learn, understand and follow schedules, protocols and priorities established for animal
care on farm, and actively contribute to the development and refinement of such
- Comply with all protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures that regulate farm
activities, including human and animal safety
- Greet guests, visitors or trespassers
- Ensure that start-of-day opening and end-of-day closure, locking, monitoring and security
procedures are completed and operational
- Train for utility disruptions, fire emergencies and severe weather crises
- Observe animals on farm for illness, injury or incident, document, report, and respond and assist with any emergencies affecting the animals on farm
- Daily census animal count, maintain a running account of livestock on farm. Create and maintain individual and group identification and records/databases/logbooks
for all farm livestock, both current and disbursed. Properly identify all incoming livestock.
- Maintain a current feed and bedding inventory. Track feed and bedding orders in a timely fashion to assure uninterrupted supply. Assist with delivery and storage of feedstuffs and bedding for farm.
- Maintain a current inventory of supplies, tools, equipment, instruments and materials. Track and receive orders for the farm. Track LIU Facilities work orders and completion.
- Ensure water is fresh, clean, thawed and available to all livestock at all times. Removal of feed waste, manure and waste bedding. Daily feeding of livestock.
- Keep barns, stalls, chutes, lanes, pens, corrals, mangers, feeders, tanks, troughs,
paddock shelters and paddocks clean, orderly and assure these are in good repair. Ensure that fences and gates are in good repair, effective operation, trimmed free of
vegetation, and that animals are confined in their appropriate paddocks.
- Prepare for student activities, courses and labs occurring at the farm. Assist with student lab & activity logistics, supervision, record-keeping, sample handling. Record and maintain records of animal use in student labs & activities. Supervise and ensure post-lab clean-up and closure of activities
- Operation, care, maintenance and logbooks of farm vehicles, implements, and equipment. Assist with weed and brush control on farm, including weed-eater trimming and chainsawing. Assist with the washing, sanitizing and rinsing of LIU equipment, instruments, tools and
transport vehicles
- Perform other necessary duties, as required
Duties specific to the Team Lead:
- Develop and maintain a monthly weekend schedule for student workers to ensure
consistent and adequate animal care coverage
- Create and distribute weekly weekend task lists for student workers, including updates on
animal health, behavioral observations, and any notable occurrences
- Maintain accurate records of cadaver inventory used for instructional purposes
- Prepare and manage inventory required for upcoming laboratory sessions to ensure
timely availability of materials
- Keep and communicate a monthly priority task list for farm operations and animal care
- Maintain a schedule of monthly physical exams: e.g., animal weights & heights, FAMACHA, pregnancy checks, breeding schedule
Duties when directed by the Farm Veterinarian:
- Host, manage and supervise any guests, visitors or trespassers
- Place orders for the farm
- Submission, scheduling and tracking of LIU Facilities work orders and completion
- Train for, perform, operate, plan, direct, train others in farm’s necessary agronomic tasks
- Assist with student activities, courses and labs occurring at the farm
- Assist with farm animal management and medical care tasks
- Assist with breeding, estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy support Supervise and assist with birthing, neonate care, perinatal care of dams, youngstock care
- Assist with transporting livestock to/from farm. Collect, transport and appropriately handle animals for teaching purposes
- Assist and guide students with proper handling and restraint of farm livestock
Competencies:This full-time position routinely requires early morning starts, working some evenings, some
weekends and during statutory holidays. The duties of a large animal caretaker are to meet the
operational and technical needs of a small farm that stables teaching animals and hosts
teaching activities of an accredited professional degree program.
An ideal candidate should be a self-motivated individual who demonstrates certain
competencies including:
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ability to work both independently and as a team
- Good oral and written communication skills
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Valid driver’s license (CDL desirable)
- 1 year’s experience with care of 1 or more species, i.e., cattle or small ruminants
- Ideally an Associate’s degree or college degree with a major or minor in animal science,
veterinary technology, agricultural technology, or 3 years of verifiable equivalent work
experience
- Physical ability and endurance to lift 50 lbs. and withstand the demands and rigor of an
outdoor job, including heavy lifting/pushing/pulling, standing for long periods of time,
exposure to extreme weather, routine exposure to sun, heat, wind, rain, ice, snow, soil,
mud, dust, pollen, and livestock dander, manure and urine
- Willingness to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include boots,
coveralls, gloves, hat, facemask, safety glasses, facemask, respirator, etc.
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.