Sheep Dairy Milking Technician

Shepherd's Way Farms is hiring for the Sheep Dairy Milking Technician position in Nerstrand, MN. This hands-on role supports the operation's day-to-day production and care work. Reliable execution and early communication matter because the work directly affects plants, animals, equipment, coworkers, customers, or the surrounding property. What you will do • Feed, water, observe, move, and care for animals according to the farm's routines and welfare standards. • Clean and bed housing, maintain fences and water systems, and keep feed, tools, and care areas orderly. • Report changes in appetite, behavior, movement, injury, health, births, or facility condition immediately. • Milk sheep according to the farm's parlor routine, observe animal behavior and udder condition during each session, and handle animals calmly through entry, milking, and release. • Clean and sanitize the parlor and milking equipment thoroughly, following the farm's sequence and concentration or contact-time instructions so the system is ready for the next milking. • Assist with watering, bedding, feeding, routine chores, and animal checks, with possible additional responsibilities and hours during lambing or when other trained crew members need coverage. How the work fits together Animal checks set the order of the day. Feed, water, health, weather exposure, and secure housing are confirmed before lower-priority projects. The employee records or reports observations, completes assigned husbandry and facility work, and rechecks gates, animals, equipment, and supplies before the shift ends. At Shepherd's Way Farms, the employer also makes these role-specific priorities clear: Milk sheep according to the farm's parlor routine, observe animal behavior and udder condition during each session, and handle animals calmly through entry, milking, and release. Clean and sanitize the parlor and milking equipment thoroughly, following the farm's sequence and concentration or contact-time instructions so the system is ready for the next milking. Assist with watering, bedding, feeding, routine chores, and animal checks, with possible additional responsibilities and hours during lambing or when other trained crew members need coverage. What the employer is looking for • Previous animal experience is required. Milking, dairy sanitation, skid-steer operation, general repair, or sheep experience is useful, along with proficient English and current authorization to work in the United States. • Reliability, stamina, problem-solving, attention to detail, ability to work independently and with a small team, good judgment around livestock, and ability to lift 50 pounds. • Dependable attendance, direct communication, and willingness to follow the employer's safety, quality, and customer- or production-care procedures. • Ability to complete the role's active, in-person work and to ask for instruction before using unfamiliar tools, equipment, products, or animal-handling methods. Schedule, conditions, and compensation This is a part-time substitute position with shifts currently listed for Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6:00–11:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 4:00–9:00 p.m., and occasional weekday morning or afternoon coverage. Compensation is $18–$21.50 per hour based on experience and productivity. Paid time off, a cheese share, ongoing training, and possible extra lambing hours are offered. The farm is seeking a long-term fit who can start within two weeks. The employer publishes $18–$21.5 per hour. Applicants should confirm the final hours, overtime treatment, starting assignment, travel or reporting point, supplied equipment, and benefit eligibility directly with the employer before accepting an offer. This is an in-person agricultural and animal-care position with a small operation. Daily priorities can change with weather, plant or animal condition, equipment availability, customer schedules, and the season. The successful person should arrive ready to work, communicate early when a task or condition is unclear, follow the employer's safety and quality procedures, and leave tools, vehicles, production areas, and job sites secure and ready for the next shift. Applicants should expect active work that may include long periods of standing or walking, bending, lifting, repetitive hand tasks, noise, dust, mud, pollen, heat, cold, rain, or work around moving equipment. The exact physical demands differ by assignment. Candidates should discuss any accommodation needs with the employer and confirm the final schedule, overtime treatment, training period, travel expectations, and benefit eligibility before accepting an offer. Only compensation and benefits expressly published by the employer are included here; unpublished terms have not been estimated. How to apply Email a resume, references, and a brief cover note to jodi@shepherdswayfarms.com. Describe your livestock and milking experience, the shifts you can reliably cover, how soon you can start, and the best way to reach you quickly.