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Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Agricultural Equipment Opr II
Job Summary:
The Feed Mill Operator is a dynamic, hands-on technical position at the UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station where you'll be essential to cutting-edge animal and agricultural research. This isn't your typical equipment operator job—you'll operate a complex feed production facility that produces approximately 4,000 tons of specialized research feed annually, directly supporting groundbreaking studies for the University of Wisconsin – Madison researchers. As the Feed Mill Operator, you'll manage the complete feed production cycle, from reviewing orders and ensuring quality control to precise ingredient preparation, strategic ration sequencing, expert feed mixing, and timely delivery to research and teaching units across multiple facilities.
This role demands technical expertise in operating complex feed manufacturing equipment including mixers, grinders, pelletizers, and conveyors, combined with meticulous attention to detail for accurate recordkeeping of feed orders, ingredients, and medication use. The Feed Mill Operator ensures all Standard Operating Procedures are followed, maintains inventory management systems, and provides critical technical support by adjusting equipment to meet changing operational demands. You'll troubleshoot and maintain industrial equipment to keep production running smoothly, deliver feed using commercial vehicles with your CDL, and collaborate with farm crews across the station as a versatile team player.
What makes this position truly special is the tangible impact you'll have every single day. Your expertise ensures that researchers, faculty, and students have the high-quality, consistent feed they need to conduct studies that advance agriculture, veterinary medicine, and food systems worldwide. You'll take pride in knowing that your commitment to precision, safety, and research compliance helps uphold UW-Madison's internationally recognized reputation for excellence in animal care and scientific innovation. If you're someone who loves working with equipment, solving complex operational challenges, and being part of a mission that makes a real difference, this is your opportunity to contribute to discoveries that will shape the future of agriculture and life sciences.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Documents completion of duties according to established policies and procedures
Operates machinery which conveys, grinds, crushes, mixes, and pelletizes
- Applies pesticides in accordance with best practices and established rules, policies, and regulations
- Stages equipment and machines in preparation of agricultural activities
- Maintains organization of designated facilities and associated supplies, notifies appropriate entities of damaged materials or the need for supply replenishment
- Operates, cleans, and repairs basic and complex agricultural machines and equipment to ensure safety and operable functionality and to adhere to established rules, policies, and regulations
Department:
Arlington Agricultural Research Station
Compensation:
The anticipated salary range for this position is $22.00 - $26.00. However, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.pdf
Hiring Bonus
Employees who need to obtain their CDL upon their start of employment will be required to do so within their first six months of employment. Failure to obtain a CDL before the end of the six-month probationary period will result in termination or employment. Employees will be required to personally cover the expense of the CDL training and testing and will be able to attend the training and testing in work/pay status. Information regarding the Entry-Level Driver Training, including access to a listing of current training providers in WI and training costs, visit “https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/”. Training Providers set their own rate for the training. Information regarding the CDL skills test and fees is available through the Wisconsin DOT website “https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/cdl-how-aply/thirdparty.aspx”
A $4,500 hiring bonus will be provided during the first year of employment to be paid as follows:
After the first 30 calendar days of “satisfactory” employment, the employee will receive $900.
After completion of six months, the employee will receive $1,800 and
After the employee has worked for one full year successfully, they will receive $1,800.
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated precision in work performance and commitment to maintaining strict safety and quality standards.
Required to hold or be able to obtain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License within 6 months of employment.
Organizational skills to effectively manage tasks and maintain accurate records.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with feed mill production, including operating mixers, hammer mills, pellet mills, and/or conveyors.
Basic mechanical skills for routine maintenance and troubleshooting on motors, gear boxes, pneumatic systems, augers, conveyor belts, pellet mills, and elevator legs.
Experience operating and maintaining agricultural machinery (e.g., tractors, manure tankers, pesticide sprayers, front-end loaders, skid steers), in an agricultural or similar research settings with quality and documentation standards.
License or Certificate:
Commercial Driver’s License
Education:
H.S. Diploma - Preferred
How to Apply:
Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:
Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background
Cover Letter (optional) - Refer to your related work experience
Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
Contact Information:
Andrew Vaudt, HR Generalist (andrew.vaudt@wisc.edu)
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.