We're Hiring!

Position Function:

Perform milking duties for a large dairy herd, maintain milk records, and assume responsibility for good husbandry practices as related to health, sanitation, and general care of dairy animals.

Salary Grade:  11

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 528 undergraduate students and 25 faculty, both on campus and at research and extension centers throughout Mississippi. The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200 acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and Bearden Research Dairy. The Bearden Center is a 350-animal dairy consisting of a modern double eight parallel milking parlor, modern working facilities for the care of the replacement heifers, and approximately 1,200 acres of pasture and crop land.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

October 2025. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare, clean, and manage the milking equipment, parlor, and tank room in accordance with sanitary standards.
2. Manage the free stall housing system.
3. Group and separate cattle as required.
4. Assist with heifer development.
5. Perform milking duties twice daily.
6. Operate computerized milking equipment.
7. Observe cows for health problems and performance levels.
8. Clean facilities and care for animals as circumstances require.
9. Monitor milk storage facilities to ensure quality of milk.
10. Assist with research activities.
11. Train and observe student workers with milking procedures.
12. Perform related duties as assigned.

Shifts will vary and can include early morning and/or afternoon milkings. The successful candidate will be expected to work weekends and holidays as needed, and job requires flexible scheduling.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or GED.
Experience: One year experience in animal care.
Licensure: Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Dairy cattle production/milking experience and farm equipment operational experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of dairy cows.
Ability to work flexible schedules.
Ability to follow instructions.
Good communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Frequent heavy or intense physical requirements, combined with exposure to a number of disagreeable elements, such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals. Job frequently requires standing, walking, reaching, climbing or balancing, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Job occasionally requires sitting, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting more than 100 pounds.
Flexible schedules for working weekends and holidays.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu to be considered for this position. Attach to the application a resume and cover letter. Three names of reference along with contact information should be submitted with the application. Any questions should be directed to Ginger Cavinder, PO Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662)325-2803, or glc140@msstate.edu.

Screening Date:

September 20, 2025, until filled. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.