Job Description:

Job no: 0045255
Location: Dookie
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department/School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Salary: UOM 5 – $79,961 - $91,844 p.a. p.a. plus 17% super

• Support the daily operations of a robotic-based dairy enterprise.
• Collaborate with top-tier experts, execute innovative experiments, and publish impactful findings.
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading.

About the Role
The Dairy Assistant role involves supporting the daily operations of a robotic-based dairy enterprise situated at the University's Dookie Campus. Reporting to the Farm Manager, you will coordinate activities within the dairy, oversee support staff, and contribute to the general operations of the Dookie Farm team. With approximately 180 dairy cows and a robotic milking system, the role encompasses both teaching and research aspects, alongside managing other elements of the Dookie Farm Enterprise, such as sheep, crops, and orchards.

Dookie campus is an agricultural facility set on the tranquil rolling hills between Shepparton and Benalla in Victoria. Relocation support can be negotiated for successful candidates.

Please note: This position requires the appointee to work in regional Victoria, where there is no public transport connection available. A valid driving license for Victoria is required for this role.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage the Dookie cows including monitoring the health and condition of the cows and ensuring vaccination programs are up to date.
• Coordinate the joining/breeding program, including managing the rearing of calves and the cow transition program.
• Manage the milk production and the daily maintenance of the robotic milking equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Manage the feed reserves and the dairy pastures, including the irrigation system.
• Assist the Farm Manager with forecasting feed budgets and the pasture budget and allocation.

Who We Are Looking For
You will contribute your teamwork attitude, along with exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong dedication to providing excellent service.

You will also have:

• Completion of a relevant qualification or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training in dairy herd management.
• Demonstrated understanding of animal welfare regulations and legislation.
• Proven capacity to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision, including the ability to work as part of a team to ensure timely completion of tasks.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your New Team – “The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences“
The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences has a vision of science for flourishing environments and communities. The School brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains.

Dookie campus has played a key role in the development of agriculture and agricultural teaching and learning in Australia since 1886 and it remains a focal point for the key research, teaching and technology development that is helping to shape the future of agriculture in Australia.

Situated on 2,440 hectares the campus includes a small community which houses our students and teaching staff, merino sheep, an orchard, robotic dairy, winery and a natural bush reserve.

https://science.unimelb.edu.au/about/our-locations/dookie

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience

Please note that you are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Anna Gradoboeva via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.