The Role
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.
Aberystwyth University Farm Strategy identifies the need for access to large scale land-based teaching and research activities. The overall mission is to enable the University to deliver teaching and research in sustainable agriculture and rural land use with national and global impact.
As part of the University’s investment in its Farm Platform, a robotic dairy has been installed. Some of the dairy herd are bred to beef bulls that, together with a flock of commercial and pedigree sheep (totalling about 1000 head), have the primary objective of providing a small herd of growing beef cattle and a flock of ewes and growing lambs for teaching and research purposes. A secondary, but no less important, objective is for the production of prime beef and lamb finished on home-grown feeds that demonstrate and highlight the forage, cereal and pulse breeding activities carried out at Aberystwyth University. This post will work as part of a small group of Enterprise Managers, directed by the Farm Manager, and co-supervising a small team of Farm Technicians. The Dairy Herd Manager will have the prime responsibility of leading activities related to the dairy herd and overseeing the management of the dairy herd on a day-to-day basis including the Barn Cleaning and Feeding Team. The successful candidate will ensure the highest standards of animal health and welfare throughout the farms at all times.
The successful candidate will work as a lead member of a small team on the University’s arable and livestock farms and related research projects.
To make an informal enquiry, please contact Adrian Ratter, Farms Manager, at adr24@aber.ac.uk.
Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you’ll do
This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.
This is a physically demanding job and entails shift and unsocial hours working as part of your routine duties. You will work annualised hours on a staffing rota that will require shorter working hours over the winter and/or other periods of relative inactivity on the farm, and longer working hours at busier periods. Night checks are required on the farm and could be part of this post (following discussion with farm manager), in which case you would need to live within a reasonable distance or on site. Subsidised accommodation may be available.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
1. Have primary responsibility for the dairy herd and maintain its health and welfare to the highest standards.
2. Motivate and lead a team of staff, ensuring effective communication achieved through weekly staff meetings, notices boards, and action plans.
3. Monitor animal health and wellbeing in accordance with legislation, animal welfare regulations and best practice to the highest standard. Take immediate remedial action when required and notify the Farm Manager.
4. Participate in the management of farm staff to optimise milk production and animal welfare from computer generated records. Monitor Feeding of milking, Dry and Transition Cows and the care of fresh calved cows. Treat all sick cows as soon as possible following the recommendation provided in the Herd Health Plan and Veterinary advice.
5. Deal with the majority of routine day-to-day operational issues within their area of responsibility and escalate any issues or concerns to the Farm Manager in a timely manner.
6. Be responsible for the day-to-day welfare and management of stock under his or her care in accordance with legislation, standard operating procedures, best practice and research project protocols as appropriate.
7. Extract, analyse and interpret computer-generated information pertinent to the management of the dairy herd.
8. Work alongside other staff, undergraduate students, vets and academics and other stakeholders.
9. Assist other staff in all on-farm teaching programmes with undergraduate vet and agriculture students.
10. Participate in open days and demonstrations, outreach activities and public events relating to the farm as required.
11. Working with the Farm Manager on the development of the dairy business plan and lead on its implementation.
12. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with animal health and welfare professionals.
13. Assist with the care, health, and welfare of all livestock e.g., calves, sheep, lambs etc.
14. Identify and evaluate activities that have significant environmental effects and risks. Liaise with Environmental Health and Health and Safety Environment officers.
15. Implement and maintain hygiene and biosecurity arrangements.
16. Responsible for the efficient and effective management of the dairy herd and milk production.
17. With the Farms Manager, plan, cost and implement a programme to increase profitability.
18. Ensure that information is available to all staff in a visible format to achieve above average animal care, cleanliness and feeding programmes are in place to maintain and improve the herds milk supply (quality and volumes).
19. Be actively involved in technical information such as nutrition, breeding, genetics, milk production targets and animal health.
20. Report on the progress and performance of the herd, maintaining all the necessary records and providing the Farm Manager with all relevant information on calving and animal health.
21. Provide information to ensure that all farm records are maintained, including animal passports, animal movement records etc.
22. Identify any potential conflicts of interest due to secondary employment or similar activities and bring them to the attention of the Farms Manager.
23. Be responsible for environmental monitoring in and around the dairy milking and cattle housing facilities. Oversee the upkeep and the appearance of the farms including entrances, outbuildings etc.
24. Oversee the cleaning animal housing, general farm area and outbuildings in accordance with COSHH, health and safety and standard operating procedures as required.
25. Be responsible for your own health and safety, and that of other colleagues.
26. Drive farm vehicles as required to collect or deliver materials, feed and livestock.
27. Be responsible for feed management to support livestock. Ordering and maintain adequate stocks in conjunction with other Enterprise Managers.
28. Assist with routine vehicle maintenance as required using vehicle or implement instruction manual.
29. Implement programmed plant and vehicle maintenance schedules with the use of white boards and staff rota routine, with signed responsibility for completed tasks.
30. Assist research staff as required with arable and livestock projects. Attend training courses as required.
31. To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
32. To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
33. To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
34. Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
Essential
1. Full valid UK driving licence, or equivalent right to drive in the UK.
2. Level 3 certificate or diploma or strong evidence of capability in land-based agriculture in Land Based Agriculture.
3. Experience of working in a dairy farm.
4. Practical experience of managing calving and sick animals.
5. Staff supervision and management experience.
6. Up to date knowledge of managing pasture and forage.
7. Excellent animal health and welfare knowledge.
8. Knowledge of health and safety including manual handling.
9. Ability to complete and analyse computer farm records.
10. Ability to analyse production costs.
11. Skills to maximise robot milking procedures.
12. Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
13. Oral (spoken) and written level B2*
Desirable
1. Relevant degree in agricultural business management or equivalent.
2. Artificial Insemination certificate.
3. Commercial awareness.
4. Experience with dairy robots.
5. Oral (spoken) and written Welsh level C1*
*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/
How to apply
Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
* Flexible working policy
* 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
* Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
* Commitment to Professional Development
* Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
* Staff recognition and reward schemes
* Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
* Staff relocation bursary
* Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
* Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
Please keep reading
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.
We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Employment Visa
Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.
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