Senior Farm Assistant

Position Purpose: 

The primary role of the Senior Farm Assistant (SFA) position is to support and assist the FM to deliver production, financial and other measures of performance for a dairy unit.

The key aspects of the Senior Farm Assistant position are as follows:

• The Senior Farm Assistant will support the 21C's to execute a farm system within broader boundaries as set by the General Manager (FARM MANAGER/21C) and the company. These parties will together set the physical, financial and other agreed targets for a farm.
• The Senior Farm Assistant can expect the FARM MANAGER/21C and GWL sufficient support and guidance to establish and execute the farm system to meet these targets.
• The Senior Farm Assistant will assist the 21C's to deliver physical and financial results. Support will also extend to regulatory and environmental factors including, but not limited to, effluent and animal welfare.

• Minimum 30 hours per week guaranteed. 
• Employee housing is available on-site. Accommodation may be shared or private, depending on availability at the time of successful placement. No pets allowed.
• Drive-in applicants must be able to demonstrate they can reliably meet the requirements of the roster; candidates residing outside a reasonable commuting distance who are unwilling to relocate may be considered unsuitable for these operational reasons.

Person Specification: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Large-scale dairy farming experience
• Excellent people management skills
• Health & Safety training and certification relevant to dairy farming operations
• An understanding of relevant environmental regulatory requirements such as those relating to effluent and waterways.
• Animal husbandry and animal health experience
• Understanding of feed budgeting, including pasture management and supplementary feeding
• Motorbike, tractor and other general farm machinery knowledge
• An ability to operate within and adhere to company policy
• Computer and technological competence
• Driver's License

Key Responsibilites inlude but are not limited to:
(Full description will be available)  

Health & Safety
The Senior Farm Assistant is responsible for supporting the farm system such that all health and safety policies and procedures are known to and adhered to by all subordinate farm staff at all times. This includes ensuring that all associated reporting is completed.

Milking operation
The Senior Farm Assistant is expected to support the Farm Manager the day to day operations and tasks of the Dairy Unit. This includes being ensuring Milking Operations are completed to the  standard.

Milk Production
The Senior Farm Assistant will gain an understand and support the FM with milk solids production, with reference to delivering to budgeted milk production levels for their dairy unit as well as monitoring and ensuring milk quality standards are maintained (such that demerit points are minimal if accrued at all) and SCC

Farm Manager Absence
The Senior Farm Assistant is required to support the 21C with the day-to-day operations during the Farm Managers absence.

Record keeping
The Senior Farm Assistant will support the Farm Manager/21C in keeping records of all treatments for sick cows and by ensuring all cows are clearly marked.

The Senior Farm Assistant will be support the Farm Manager/21C in ensuring that all livestock records are kept up to date on a weekly basis. This will extend to calving and mating reporting requirements.

Feed Budgeting
The Senior Farm Assistant will gain an understanding of and assist with the management of all sources of feed including pasture, feed conserved/grown on farm, PKE and any other imported feeds.

Animal Welfare
The Senior Farm Assistant will support the farm system such that all animal welfare policies and procedures are known to and adhered to by all subordinate farm staff at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, calf rearing and associated policies of animal health.

Please provide us with information as to your eligibility to work in New Zealand – if you are on a temporary visa or if you are a New Zealand citizen/resident.