Purpose:

The Milk Harvester is responsible for harvesting excellent quality fresh milk from the dairy cows in a caring manner. It also includes bringing the dairy cattle to the milking parlor, maintaining the facilities, and always following the proper routine.

If you accept a job offer on or after November 15, you must provide documentation of at least the first dose of a vaccine on or before your start date, and be fully vaccinated within 45 days of your start date, in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Essential Responsibilities:

Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures and animal care standards as specified in the Employee Handbook.  Treat all of the animals properly at all times and immediately report any observed mistreatment or neglect to a supervisor. Immediately report a down animal, injured animal or very sick animal to a supervisor.  Perform the milking routine completely according to the protocol and supervisor’s direction at all times.  Maintain the milk quality below the desired goals.  Take cows to and from the milking parlor on time and calmly also during the grazing season.  Train the new and fresh animals to the milking routine with patience, calmness and care. Understand the flight zone  Attend to the cows with mastitis and monitor all animals for illness and care for them as directed.  Do not mix cows or bulls from one pen to another.  Conduct routine cleaning of the freestalls if applicable to your location.  Conduct routine cleaning, for quality assurance, of the milking parlor, milking units, milk tanks (silos), milk trucks, etc.  Maintain the milking facility, animal housing facilities, restrooms, break rooms, etc. clean and functional.  Notify the supervisor if the milking parlor, milking equipment, housing facilities, water troughs, etc. need repair.  Work in a safe manner and look after the safety of your coworkers. Be careful when working with fresh animals and bulls.  Immediately report any incidents or injuries to a supervisor.  Complete written or oral reports as required.  Maintain open communication with coworkers and supervisors.  Arrive on time or prior to your shift according to the Supervisor, attendance is monitored.  Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed indoors and outdoors in which employee is exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level may be loud. Inside conditions may be wet. You are working with animals and need to be aware of the flight zone.
SCHEDULE: A typical shift is 8 to 10 hours long however the task at hand must be complete before the employee leaves. Start and stop times of the shifts vary depending on the schedule determined by the supervisor. There are either 6 working days with 2 days off or 6 working days with 1 day off depending on the schedule. Breaks or “lunch” is scheduled as agreed upon between the employee and the supervisor.

Physical Requirements

Regular standing, walking, bending, stooping, sitting in various positions for long periods of time. Use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms for long periods of time or for repetitive motion. Climb, balance, kneel, crouch, and crawl occasionally. Regularly required to lift 10 to 25 pounds and frequently required to lift 50 or more pounds depending on the specific task.

Benefits:

• Housing, pending availability
• Retention Bonus
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Group Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Accident, Cancer Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Sick Pay
• Personal Leave
• Family Care Leave
• Free Milk
• Costco Membership Reimbursement
• Uniforms