General Mechanic

This is a 10-month, continuing position located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Morris, MN. The position reports to the Facilities and Equipment Supervisor and provides support in the areas of maintenance and repair of livestock facilities, other buildings and grounds, equipment, and supports production farming. UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center is a 1,100 acre research farm located near Morris, MN with approximately 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of crops. As an active farming operation, WCROC has research programs in the areas of Dairy, Horticulture, Renewable Energy, and Swine.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)

A successful candidate will have good communication skills, be able to collaborate with others and work as a team. May act as lead worker for part-time, full-time and/or temporary employees. Tasks change seasonally and are generally described below; however, the list below is not limited as other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Facility Maintenance & General Equipment Repair 70%

• Perform preventive and routine maintenance of facilities throughout WCROC to include but not limited to: livestock facilities, sheds, fencing, mowing and tree trimming.
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections of the WCROC dairy and swine facilities to ensure proper function of production equipment and safety features.
• Troubleshoot general building issues such as building control systems and alarms, temperature control, air conditioning, furnaces, heat pumps, water systems, electrical systems, fire suppression, alarm systems, compressors, milk bulk tanks, parlor system, milk piping, chillers, sanitary and cleaning systems, and feed and manure conveyance systems.
• Maintain backup power generation systems and small motors
• Perform basic electrical maintenance and repair such as replacing bulbs, ballasts, and switches as well as low voltage tests, servicing and wiring repairs.
• Replace belts and repair motors on augers, mills, and other equipment.
• Flush, winterize, and service water heaters and plumbing.
• Service, troubleshoot, and winterize well water livestock watering and irrigation systems.
• Drain, service and repair motors on air compressors.
• Service and repair all doors, change out/build in new locks.
• Weather proof exterior and interior of buildings
• Operate and maintain greenhouse heat, ventilation, and watering systems with guidance from the horticulture team.
• Maintain records for work performed on facilities.
• Operates snow blowers, front-end loaders, mounted brooms, and other snow removing equipment.
• Maintain parking areas, sidewalks, driveways, cattle raceways, and trails.
• Maintain and perform light repairs of water drainage, gutter, diversion, and filtration systems including vegetative treatment areas (VTAs).
• Perform minor installation and repair of office and outreach space equipment and systems.
• Assist research programs in modifying and-/- or developing program-specific facilities and equipment.
• Install, maintain, and-/- or repair safety systems, equipment, and infrastructure across the WCROC.
• Repair and maintenance of equipment to ensure efficiency of operation and safety.
• Make emergency field repairs to equipment and overhaul of farm equipment.
• Maintain records for work performed on equipment maintenance.

Operate Adjust, and Maintain Farming Equipment 30%

• Operate a variety of equipment including but is not limited to: tillage (discs, harrows, field cultivators, deep tillage equipment etc.), corn planters, grain drills, seeders, fertilizers, mowing
  machines, inverter / rakes, fertilizer applicators, truck driving and harvest operations which include hauling haylage, silage, hay and straw bales, manure, and grain.
• Maintain records for work performed on farm operations.

Essential Qualifications

• Technical education/training in mechanical maintenance totaling one year and one year of applicable work experience, or a combination of education and experience to total two (2) years.

Desired Qualifications

• Two years of power-driven agricultural or maintenance equipment experience.
• Must have or have the ability to obtain at minimum a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The successful candidate is encouraged to obtain the license within three (3) months; However, the license must be obtained within six months of the initial appointment of the position.
• Position requires the ability to walk or stand for a majority of the day; carry, climb, kneel, lift, push and pull 50 lbs. or more.
• Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
• Evidence of effective communication, cooperation and collaboration with staff and project investigators.

The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) is an agricultural research farm located near Morris, MN. WCROC conducts research in dairy, swine, horticulture, and renewable energy resources and maintains a milking dairy herd and small farrow-to-finish swine operation. These herds are maintained for research and educational purposes. Approximately 1,100 acres of farmland including both crops and pastures provide feed, forage, and bedding for the livestock herds. Four faculty researchers are located at the WCROC along with approximately 30 other staff and students. WCROC has a full compliment of office and outreach space, shop and storage buildings, as well as livestock facilities.

Pay Range: $22.98 per hour (Step 1); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment, 10 month Continuing

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff (Teamsters Local 320)

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a 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 the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).