Animal Caretaker I — Dairy Cattle

Michigan State University's Campus Livestock Centers are hiring a temporary full-time Animal Caretaker for the Dairy Teaching and Research Center in East Lansing. This is a working dairy position focused on consistent cattle care, facility sanitation, livestock movement, and support for teaching and research operations. Responsibilities • Feed, water, milk, and safely handle dairy cattle • Observe animals for illness, injury, or behavioral changes and report concerns promptly • Move, load, transport, and unload livestock as directed • Operate tractors and attached agricultural equipment • Clean barns, sheds, pens, tools, and other farm facilities and equipment • Move feed, bedding, supplies, tools, and equipment around the farm • Complete required safety and farm-specific training • Follow University, state, federal, AAALAC, IACUC, and species-specific requirements Qualifications and work demands MSU prefers candidates with two or more combined years of livestock-farm education or experience, especially experience moving cattle. Animal-science coursework and basic math skills are helpful. The job requires careful attention to detail, long hours on your feet, work around dust and animal dander, and the ability to lift 50–75 pounds. Work continues in Michigan weather. The schedule uses 12-hour shifts in a repeating two-week rotation: five shifts on, five off, two on, and two off. This temporary opening is not available to students. Pay is commensurate with experience. Apply by August 7, 2026 through Michigan State University's direct hiring page and submit a resume.