Agricultural Equipment Operator II Job at University of Wisconsin- River Falls
Materials not submitted through
https://jobs.uwrf.edu/
cannot be considered.
Submit:
- Resume;
- Cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the responsibilities and knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the job posting.
- Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your ability, experience, and professional preparation.
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Greg Zwald, Farm Director
Laboratory Farms
gregory.zwald@uwrf.edu
gregory.zwald@uwrf.edu
Deadline to Apply: January 10, 2023
A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates. It will also require you and your most recent employer to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The selected candidate must be able to pass a post-offer employment test and hold a valid driver’s license to obtain Wisconsin certification to drive University vehicles. A six-month probationary period is required. The salary range is $19.00-$24.00 per hour commensurate with experience and skill level.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.75%; 212 hours of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to .
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-3221.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.75%; 212 hours of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to .
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-3221.
Posting Details
Position Information
UW - System Position Title
Agricultural Equipment Operator II
Business Title
Major Department Code
Laboratory Farms (J044500)
Appointment Type
University Staff-Permanent
FLSA Status
Non Exempt
FTE (Percentage of Appointment)
100
Typical Working Schedule
University hours are Monday – Friday 7:45 am to 4:30 pm. This position requires some evenings and weekends.
Position Summary
The Agricultural Equipment Operator II is primarily responsible for the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of basic and complex UWRF Laboratory Farm equipment. The individual directly reports to the Laboratory Farm Director and performs under general supervision. This is a full-time position at the UW-River Falls Mann Valley Farm with close interaction with faculty, staff, students, student workers, private companies, and the public. The person in this position works closely with the Farm Director regarding the daily operation of farm equipment in the areas of operation, maintenance, repair and crop production. The position also works closely with Crop and Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering faculty in precision agriculture laboratory classes, research projects, as well as agronomy research with Winfield Solutions located at the Mann Valley Farm. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and mentoring skills are necessary as this person will be working with, directing, and demonstrating proper machinery operation, maintenance, and repair to farm staff, faculty, students, and student employees.
Attention to detail is critical. Self-starting, independent working skills combined with flexible work hours on weekdays and weekends, when necessary,
are a must in this position as it is highly weather influenced. A positive, cooperative attitude toward farm staff, faculty, students, and the public is essential. The Mann Valley and Campus Farms are laboratory teaching farms where “hands-on” experience is the mode of operation.
Responsibilities
35% Operation of Laboratory Farm Equipment
- Safely and effectively operate farm equipment on 395 acres of cropland and in all facets of the two Laboratory Farm’s operations including crop and livestock activities ranging from tillage to manure cleanout and applications, the composting operation, planting, cutting, and harvesting alfalfa, corn, and other cropping operations.
- Equipment operation includes: skid-steers, CASE IH state-of-the art tractors, moldboard and chisel plows, field and row crop cultivators, compost turner, tillage discs, self-propelled windrower, combine, pivot irrigation, forage chopper with hay and corn heads, front and rear unloading forage wagons, forage bagger, forage blower, dairy tmr portable feed wagon, tedder, wheel and rotary rakes, forage inoculant and preservative spray applicators, mower-conditioner, round and square balers, six-row corn planter, grain drills, no-till drills, six-row stalk-chopper, tractor mounted soil probe, crop sprayer, solid and liquid manure spreaders and tankers, stationary and portable manure pumps, farm emergency generator, grain and forage elevators, five ton overhead crane.
- Safely and effectively operate equipment on research projects in conjunction with faculty, students, public and private entities as well as laboratory class machinery operation.
- Consult with research faculty regarding best operation of equipment to fit study and coordination of equipment on research site.
- Assist with laboratory class field equipment operation and mentor students on operation of lab class machinery.
- Work with Farm Director, faculty, and staff in cropping operations with the goal of maximum crop quality.
- Accurately maintain records relating to crops, i.e., field data, pesticide, fertilizer and manure and compost applications and amounts for Farm Director, faculty research and laboratory class activities
- Field preparation, planting, harvest, and manure/compost operations etc., done in a timely, flexible, and efficient manner.
35% Maintenance, Repair, and Inventory of Farm Equipment at the Machinery Service Center (
MSC
)
- Maintain farm equipment: oil/filter changes, air filter cleaning and changes, greasing, battery maintenance, cleaning, inspecting belts and chains, lubrication, wheel bearing lube/adjusting, troubleshooting to maintain optimal performance.
- Document accurate records of equipment maintenance and repair.
- Assist farm staff in proper maintenance procedures conduct daily routine check list for the equipment they operate.
- Work with faculty and students in laboratory classes regarding maintenance techniques.
- Maintain farm shop inventory of standard equipment items and tool selections
- Responsible for the organization and safe operation of the MSC.
- Repair farm equipment as needed. Equipment repair examples: welding a new cutting edge on a skid-steer bucket, troubleshooting and correcting a short in a wiring harness on a tractor, removing and replacing a worn tractor starter motor, replacing worn blades on a field disc, fabricating metal to create a new hay feeder for the calf barn, repairing a skid-steer fuel line leak, repair a broken forage box roller chain, fabricate a new hitch for a field cultivator with faculty assistance for a lab class traction study, repair forage blower blades and rebalance for optimum performance, planter drive shaft bearing repair.
- Manage, advise, and oversee staff in the repairing process of equipment. This “hands on” approach leads to a better understanding of the equipment’s operation by the student employees or staff member.
- Work with faculty and students in laboratory classes regarding repairing of equipment.
- Consult with Farm Director and faculty regarding condition of equipment, replacement alternatives and the purchase of new equipment. Work in conjunction with the Farm Director and faculty on complex problem solving that may involve major repair by an outside vendor.
10% Supervise, Manage, and Mentor Student Employees and Laboratory Class Students
- Provide experiential learning opportunities to lab class students by supervising their work on various basic and complex tasks.
- Supervise and mentor student employees with an interest in machinery operation, maintenance, and repair. Apprise the Farm Director of their skills and progress.
- Supervise student employees in other work areas as needed.
10% Assist Agricultural Engineering and Plant and Earth Science Faculty in Laboratory Classes
- Prepare, set-up, and assist as needed during laboratory classes in the Machinery Service Center or in-field. Lab exercise examples: soil coring, grain drill calibration, traction tests, forage harvester and combine adjustments and effects, tillage systems, crop residue, grain field loss, solid/liquid manure spreader calibration, planter setup with GPS.
- Maintain inventory of items used in lab classes.
3% Lead Farm Safety Person
- Serve on University Safety committee as the UWRF Lab Farm’s lead safety person. Communicate farm safety concerns and how they relate to the university environment.
- In conjunction with the Farm Director conduct farm safety orientation meetings for all farm staff, including student workers.
- Provide information and instruction for safe operation of equipment.
5% General Farm Cleanup and Maintenance
- Safe application of pesticide in landscape areas and on edges of fields.
- Enhance the Farm’s appearance through maintenance efforts, i.e., mowing, repairs on buildings, concrete work, etc., and aesthetic enhancements such as planting trees, shrubs, rock walls, etc., showcasing the Farm’s appearance.
3% Assistance in Livestock activities
- Work with livestock staff as needed when labor is limited and/or preparation for lab classes or Farm livestock events or student competitions.
- Assist with situations, mostly emergency types, some off-hours where the Farm Equipment Operator may be needed i.e., dairy cows that exited an unlocked gate and need to be returned to pen.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Required:
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of safe, proper, operation of basic and complex types of farm equipment and implements related to a crop and livestock, laboratory and teaching, farm with multiple research components
- Demonstrated ability to effectively maintain and repair basic and complex farm machinery
- Ability to safely ,and effectively, operate hand and power tools, volt/ohm meter, gas, wire feed and arc welding
- Awareness of farm safety protocols (i.e., equipment operation, electrical, confined space, livestock, etc.)
- Ability to prepare machine operation with timeliness and efficiency in crop harvest quality in relation to weather
- Familiarity of agronomic field crop methods and their relation to efficient livestock production
- Ability to prepare machinery laboratory class setup in Ag Engineering lab/MSC or in the field
- Possess or have the ability to obtain a pesticide basic applicator license
- Proficiency in computer software applications documenting operation of crop and machinery maintenance and repair
- Demonstrated knowledge of GPS applications
- Attention to detail, critical thinking, and evaluative abilities, self-starting and independent working skills as well as an effective team member
- Awareness of environmental and farm maintenance best practices
- Excellent communication (verbal & written), interpersonal and listening skills
- Ability to be flexible and cooperate with farm staff regarding work and work schedules in a highly weather influenced work environment related to crop and animal production
- Ability to provide subject matter expertise and guidance to a broad array of staff, faculty, students, and public entities
- Physical ability to lift 50lbs and climb heights of 70ft and successfully pass a pre-employment screen
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license which would permit Wisconsin certification to drive University work vehicles.
Preferred:
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering or a related field
- Familiarity with basic research methodology related to Agricultural Engineering and Crop and Soil Science projects
- Effective supervisory and management skills
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
USH00270
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
12/27/2022
Closing Date
01/10/2023
Applicant Review Date
01/11/2023
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Materials not submitted through
https://jobs.uwrf.edu/
cannot be considered.
Submit:
- Resume;
- Cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the responsibilities and knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the job posting.
- Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your ability, experience, and professional preparation.
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Greg Zwald, Farm Director
Laboratory Farms
gregory.zwald@uwrf.edu
gregory.zwald@uwrf.edu
Deadline to Apply:
January 10, 2023
A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates. It will also require you and your most recent employer to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The selected candidate must be able to pass a post-offer employment test and hold a valid driver’s license to obtain Wisconsin certification to drive University vehicles. A six-month probationary period is required. The salary range is $19.00-$24.00 per hour commensurate with experience and skill level.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.75%; 212 hours of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to .
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-3221.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.75%; 212 hours of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to .
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-3221.
Legal Notices
EEO/AA Statement
UW-River Falls is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran or military status. All persons, especially women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
Title IX Notice
As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator, Jennifer Larimore, 310 South Hall, Jennifer.Larimore@uwrf.edu, 715-425-4603; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see
uwrf.edu/titleIX.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.
Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous UW System institution and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per UW System Administrative Policy 1275.
Other Notices
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