Calf Rearing Technician

Job Description:
Calf Rearer / Technical Support

Position Purpose: The Calf Rearer / Technical Support is responsible for assisting the Calf Rearing Manager in
the physical performance of the farm rearing facility during calving season along with the
delivery of research functions and as such will be skilled in all aspects of the calf rearing
operations and tuned into the ancillary roles.

Department: School of Agriculture and Environment

Location: Palmerston North. Some travel may be required

Reports to: Calf Rearing Manager

Responsible for: Casual calf rearing staff in the absence of the Calf Rearing Manager

Job Title: Calf Rearer / Technical Support

Key Internal Relationships
relationships: Farm Managers & Farm Staff

Massey Veterinary Farm Services
Research and Academic Staff

External Relationships
External Researchers
AgResearch,
Fonterra.

Massey We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of research. Our

University: point of difference is research that is connected to community and industry. Our researchers
are developing expertise and skills to advance human knowledge and understanding.
Working together across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems
through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically
enriching our world.

We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic
leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the
founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this
not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.

Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students are diverse
and are attracted to Massey because they want to achieve their personal goals or make their
mark in the world. They experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual
and cultural strengths, expands their horizons, and prepares them to contribute to a rapidly
transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and leadership.

We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey campuses will be
innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart enterprises. Wherever we are, we will

1

operate in partnerships founded on respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only
defined by what we do, but by how we do it.

School of The School of Agriculture and Environment is a leading international School in education and
Agriculture and research on the development of sustainable land based primary industries, and on
Environment understanding and managing the geodiversity and biodiversity of New Zealand’s

ecosystems.

Massey core capabilities
At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society.
• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and the people we

serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement with external

stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that demonstrates that we respect and value
Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University's health, safety and wellbeing

policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively supporting all safety and wellbeing
initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University objectives.
• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our students/stakeholders

are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit to ongoing

personal and professional development.

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and the

communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

2

Accountabilities
Research, data
management and • All calf rearing based commercial and research activities are performed and recorded
information in a professional manner to ensure the highest quality of results and information
reporting: collation is achieved.
Essential • Farm operates at peak productivity and profitability within constraints of the research

and teaching environment.

Client
Relationships • Assist in the coordination of all calf rearing research as required.
and • Ensure high levels of communication are maintained between farm staff and
Communication: researchers; preserves balance between commercial farming and research

Essential objectives.

• Promotes Massey University Dairy Units as professional dairy research and teaching

facilities to internal and external clients, assisting to achieve a recognised position
of excellence in industry.

Staff Liaison • Assist in the direction of all calf rearing casual staff.
Essential • Expectation that adequate casual staffing levels are maintained, and casual staff

fully inducted into relevant roles.

• Efficient use of labour resources within the calf rearing facility.
• Promotes a team environment on Dairy 4 Unit.
• Communicate clearly and directly with the Calf Rearing Manager and Calf Rearing

casual employees concerning performance expectations, productivity and
accountability. Communication must be ongoing, clear, concise and complete.

• Assist with providing appropriate training to the calf rearing farm staff.

Team Assistance • Fulfils all the best practise duties and responsibilities of managing a calf rearing facility
for both commercial and research activities.

• Though not a primary function, may be required to assist in technical back-up in the

dairy operation.

• Participate in regular meetings with the Calf Rearing Manager and Calf Rearing Casual

staff to evaluate rearing performance and revise objectives and plans in accordance
with current conditions. Expectation that meetings are productive, thorough, and
timely. Plans are thorough, accurate, clear, and beneficial.

• Prioritise duties to maintain a high level of presentation of the animals and calf

rearing facilities. Expectation that Dairy 4 is always presented to the highest standard
and is recognised as a University showpiece.

Compliance • Promote a positive Health and Safety culture on the farm. Expectation to be involved
Essential and seen as a role model in creating a culture of ‘best practice’ Health & Safety

participation on Dairy 4 Unit.

3

Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: • Driver’s Licence

• Calf rearing qualifications would be advantageous for a calf rearing operation with

the size and complexity of this position.

Experience: • Must have proven calf rearing ability with a minimum of one full season’s
experience.

Capabilities
Communication: • Ability to work as part of a team and to communicate effectively with colleagues

and external stakeholders.
Essential • Have integrity and be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Have well-developed communication skills.
• Have a willingness to learn new skills and accept delegated authority.

Time Management: • Be self-motivated, able to establish priorities, plan and organise work according to
those priorities.

Essential • Ability to work both cooperatively within a team, and with a minimum of
supervision.

Knowledge and  Practical skills to enable use and maintenance of modern research equipment.
Understanding:  Have a good understanding of laboratory and fieldwork safe practice, and the ability

Essential to maintain a safe working environment in accordance with compliance
requirements.

 Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of NZ pastoral systems.

Collegiality: • Demonstrate strong people relationship management.

• Be a proactive team member within MAHE and help ensure that there is a supportive

Essential team culture.

• Diligently and faithfully serve the University and use your best endeavours to

promote and protect the interests of the University.

Computer/software:  Demonstrate a degree of computer literacy to use MAHE’s systems efficiently.

Essential  Basic understanding of electronics to maintain sensors, dataloggers and networks.
 Competent with IT applications and computer software.
 Demonstrated ability in managing and analysing data.

Other  A willingness to work outdoors, including in inclement weather.
 A suitable level of fitness to be able to competently undertake field work.

Essential  Hold a current New Zealand full driving licence.

Pre-employment checks

4

Essential  Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic Convictions (Security) Check performed
by the New Zealand Ministry of Justice

5