Facilities Technician II

Join a Dynamic Research Environment Supporting Cutting-Edge Agricultural Science

The Arlington Agricultural Research Station seeks a skilled and versatile Facilities Technician to join our small, dedicated facilities team. Located just 20 miles north of Madison on over 2,000 acres of premier agricultural research land, Arlington ARS serves as an outdoor laboratory for nearly every department in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

About This Unique Opportunity

This position offers an exceptional blend of general facilities maintenance and specialized agricultural systems operation. You'll be instrumental in maintaining diverse research infrastructure while becoming a key operator of our state-of-the-art sand separation system at the Emmons Blaine Arlington Dairy Research Center, the University of Wisconsin's flagship dairy research facility.

Your work will directly support groundbreaking research across nearly all disciplines within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences:

You'll maintain the station's extensive research infrastructure including dairy, beef, sheep, and swine livestock facilities and specialized facilities for agronomy, soils, horticulture, and plant pathology; the central feed mill; and agricultural engineering installations across the 2,000+ acre station. Your facilities expertise ensures researchers can focus on their work, from crop science and animal genetics to nutrition studies and sustainable agriculture innovations, knowing their buildings, equipment, and specialized systems are properly maintained and operationally sound.

Position Highlights

Diverse Facilities Maintenance

• Maintain equipment and facilities across station's extensive research infrastructure

• Support operations at greenhouses, laboratories, and central feed mill

• Perform inspections, troubleshooting, and repairs on buildings and equipment

• Coordinate with trades, vendors, and technical staff on projects

• Ensure compliance with safety standards and operational procedures

Sand Separation Building Operations

• Operate and maintain the dairy's specialized sand bedding recovery system

• Monitor and adjust separation processes to ensure optimal sand quality

• Operate skid loaders to move and stockpile clean sand throughout the day

• Perform daily equipment maintenance including cleaning and greasing

• Conduct regular system checks and process adjustments across shifts

General Dairy Maintenance Support

• Assist with Blaine Dairy facility and equipment maintenance

• Support feeding equipment upkeep and general facility operations

• Collaborate with dairy management on maintenance priorities

What Makes This Role Special

This position bridges two important teams-the Arlington ARS Maintenance Team and Blaine Dairy Operations-creating synergy that enhances operational efficiency station-wide. You'll be part of a collaborative 3-4 person maintenance pool with shared knowledge and backup coverage, while working closely with dairy staff focused on animal care and research excellence.

The role offers variety, challenge, and the satisfaction of knowing your work directly enables world-class agricultural research that impacts Wisconsin's farming community and beyond.

Additional Information

• The ability to reliably travel between work locations is required .

• Criminal Background Check may be required

• Evaluation Period may be required

Review the Arlington Agricultural Research Station website: https://arlington.ars.wisc.edu/

• Receives, inspects, inventories, and distributes deliveries to appropriate entities under general supervision

• Performs routine facility inspections and monitors cleanliness

• Assists trades, crafts, vendors, and technical staff with construction, design, and operational maintenance as needed

• Utilizes equipment to repair and maintain standard machinery, equipment, and facility property to prevent further damage and ensure optimal operation

• Troubleshoots, escalates, and documents issues according to established policies and procedures

Arlington Agricultural Research Station

The anticipated hourly compensation for this position with minimal experience is $22.00/hr. 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

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and equipment operation experience

• Ability to troubleshoot and repair basic machinery and building systems

• Organizational, communication, & problem-solving skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Valid Drivers License

• Experience using and maintaining heavyduty or agricultural equipment and facilities, including operating skid loaders and other heavy equipment and performing routine and preventive maintenance practices to ensure safe and efficient operation.

• Experience working with Mechanical, Hydraulic, Plumbing & Electrical Systems.

• Experience performing work in the Construction, Maintenance, or Building Trades

H.S. Diploma Preferred

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

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.

Andrew Vaudt, HR Generalist (andrew.vaudt@wisc.edu)

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).

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