Equine Working Student Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Temporary Casual- Dairy Barn

This position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.

University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus Dairy Barn, Department of Animal Science 
The individual hired into this position will be appointed into either a temporary (67 days or less in a calendar year) or casual appointment (14 hours or less a week). This position continually accepts applications that will be reviewed when openings occur in the Dairy Barn within the Department of Animal Science. Shift times and hours vary depending on availability and scheduling needs. Schedule and primary duties will be discussed and agreed upon by the Manager, Assistant Manager and employee. Job duties and training materials are outlined and can be referenced in the Dairy Barn SOPs, located at the dairy office. 
The employee will receive all training necessary to safely and competently perform job tasks. 

Job duties may include the following:  
Milking: 

• Handle dairy cattle, moving them to and from the milking parlor and housing areas. 
• Set up parlor and holding areas for milking, milk cows, and perform clean up tasks once milking has been completed. 
• Monitor general health and well being of animals. 
• Be able to identify animals in need of attention, and administer corrective action or report to the supervisor. 
• Keep accurate records, both in paper form and in dairy management software programs.  

Utility: 

• Handle dairy cattle, moving them to and from the parlor and housing areas. 
• Maintain animal stalls and housing areas, clean and bed stalls. 
• Keep all feed and walking lanes clean and clear of manure and debris. 
• Push feed and maintain feed bunks. 
• Clean and maintain water buckets and troughs. 
• Maintain bedded pack compost barn using tractor and tiller attachment.  

Calf Chores: 

• Feed young stock, monitor health of animals and maintain clean housing facilities. 

• Administer treatments or procedures as needed.  

Feeding: 

• Monitor intakes of animals and adjust as needed. 
• Using feed management software, prepare daily rations and batch reports. 
• Operate Jaylor feed mixer to mix and deliver feed. 
• Operate feed tractor and mixer to mix and deliver feed. 
• Keep accurate records of feed and intake data.  

Research Support: 

• Provide logistics and labor support to researchers and lab staff working in the dairy facilities. Typical tasks include moving and handling animals, taking samples or keeping records.  

Miscellaneous Barn Chores: 

• Cleaning and upkeep of facilities. 
• Light maintenance of facilities and equipment. 
• Herd health checks and observations. 
• Review of records and data entry. Various animal husbandry tasks.  

Required Qualifications 

• High School Graduate or equivalent. 
• A valid Minnesota Drivers License. 
• Must be able to lift up to 120 lbs; 50lbs repeatedly.

Preferred Qualifications 

• General farm labor experience. 
• Experience in operating farm tractors and equipment. 
• Experience in milking, livestock handling, administration of oral, intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous therapeutic medications 

Department Overview 

The Department of Animal Science (http://www.ansci.umn.edu) in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/ is located on the scenic St. Paul campus. The Animal Science major, with an enrollment of around 400 students, is divided into five emphasis areas: Business/Industry, Companion Animal, Equine, Production, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Science. Each emphasis offers a unique combination of classes to prepare students for future careers in business, production management, companion animal, equine, veterinary medicine or graduate school. Within an emphasis, students can also specialize in a species, such as beef, companion animal, dairy, equine, poultry, swine or sheep, or develop a set of elective classes unique to their animal interests.

College Overview 

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the colleges emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning, internships and global perspectives.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. CFANS embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Pay Range: $15.25 - $30.00 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications.  Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.