Position Summary:
The Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine (LIU-CVM) in Brookville, New York, invites applications from self-directed, innovative and motivated individuals for a full-time Farm Animal Caretaker position at the College’s new 60-acre beef cattle facility in Yaphank, New York. The successful candidate may be engaged in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s educational and service activities. Primary responsibilities will include daily care of the livestock, farm upkeep and preparation for LIU-CVM laboratories at the facility. Equipment operation and agronomic activities will be detailed commensurate with the candidate’s experience and training. Along with other caretakers, duties include care of livestock during weekends and holidays. The successful candidate is expected to promote LIU-CVM’s overall mission of enhancing veterinary medical education through a commitment to teaching, academic excellence, and service to a variety of stakeholders.
This full-time position routinely requires early morning starts, working some evenings, some weekends and during statutory holidays. The duties of a farm animal caretaker are to meet the operational and technical needs of a small farm that stables teaching animals and hosts teaching activities of an accredited professional degree program. An ideal candidate should be a self-motivated individual who demonstrates certain competencies including:
organization, problem-solving, adaptability and flexibility, time management, multi-tasking, ability to work effectively, both independently and as a team and good oral and written communication skills.
Responsibilities:
- Diligent and responsible labor and sound judgement when independent of constant personal supervision at a remote site.
- Serve as an assistant and delegate of the Farm Veterinarian
- Learn, understand and follow schedules, protocols and priorities established for animal care on farm, and actively contribute to the development and refinement of such
- Comply with all protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures that regulate farm activities, including human and animal safety
- Greet guests, visitors or trespassers
- Ensure that start-of-day opening and end-of-day closure, locking, monitoring and security procedures are completed and operational
- Train for utility disruptions, fire emergencies and severe weather crises
- Observe animals on farm for illness, injury or incident, document, report, and respond
- Assist with any emergencies affecting the animals on farm
- Daily census animal count, maintain a running account of livestock on farm
- Create and maintain individual and group identification and records/databases/logbooks for all farm livestock, both current and disbursed
- Properly identify all incoming livestock
- Maintain a current feed and bedding inventory
- Track feed and bedding orders in a timely fashion to assure uninterrupted supply
- Assist with delivery and storage of feedstuffs and bedding for farm
- Maintain a current inventory of supplies, tools, equipment, instruments and materials
- Track and receive orders for the farm and Track LIU Facilities work orders and completion
- Ensure water is fresh, clean, thawed and available to all livestock at all times
- Removal of feed waste, manure and waste bedding
- Daily feeding of livestock
- Keep barns, stalls, chutes, lanes, pens, corrals, mangers, feeders, tanks, troughs, paddock shelters and paddocks clean, orderly and assure these are in good repair
- Ensure that fences and gates are in good repair, effective operation, trimmed free of vegetation, and that animals are confined in their appropriate paddocks
- Prepare for student activities, courses and labs occurring at the farm
- Assist with student lab & activity logistics, supervision, record-keeping, sample handling
- Record and maintain records of animal use in student labs & activities
- Supervise and ensure post-lab clean-up and closure of activities
- Operation, care, maintenance and logbooks of farm vehicles, implements, and equipment
- Assist with weed and brush control on farm, including weed-eater trimming and chainsawing
- Assist with the washing, sanitizing and rinsing of LIU equipment, instruments, tools and transport vehicles
- Perform other necessary duties, as required
Duties specific to or delegated by the Team Lead:
- Develop and maintain a monthly weekend schedule for student workers to ensure consistent and adequate animal care coverage
- Create and distribute weekly weekend task lists for student workers, including updates on animal health, behavioral observations, and any notable occurrences
- Maintain accurate records of cadaver inventory used for instructional purposes
- Prepare and manage inventory required for upcoming laboratory sessions to ensure timely availability of materials
- Keep and communicate a monthly priority task list for farm operations and animal care
- Maintain a schedule of monthly physical exams: e.g., animal weights & heights, FAMACHA, pregnancy checks, breeding schedule
Duties when directed by the Farm Veterinarian:
- Host, manage and supervise any guests, visitors or trespassers
- Place orders for the farm
- Submission, scheduling and tracking of LIU Facilities work orders and completion
- Train for, perform, operate, plan, direct, train others in farm’s necessary agronomic tasks
- Assist with student activities, courses and labs occurring at the farm
- Assist with farm animal management and medical care tasks
- Assist with breeding, estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy support
- Supervise and assist with birthing, neonate care, perinatal care of dams, youngstock care
- Assist with transporting livestock to/from farm
- Collect, transport and appropriately handle animals for teaching purposes
- Assist and guide students with proper handling and restraint of farm livestock
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Valid driver’s license (CDL desirable)
- 1 year’s experience with care of 1 or more species, i.e., cattle or small ruminants
- Ideally an Associate’s degree or college degree with a major or minor in animal science, veterinary technology, agricultural technology, or 3 years of verifiable equivalent work experience
- Physical ability and endurance to lift 50 lbs. and withstand the demands and rigor of an outdoor job, including heavy lifting/pushing/pulling, standing for long periods of time, exposure to extreme weather, routine exposure to sun, heat, wind, rain, ice, snow, soil, mud, dust, pollen, and livestock dander, manure and urine
- Willingness to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include boots, coveralls, gloves, hat, facemask, safety glasses, facemask, respirator, etc.
About The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine at Long Island University:
LIU-LCVM received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA- Council on Education on October 16, 2019 and graduated its inaugural class in May 2024. Currently, with over 75 off-campus affiliate sites, LIU Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine utilizes a distributed model of clinical education. The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine has modern physical facilities designed to support its instructional needs and research activities.
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
