Osborne Richardson are truly the go-to recruiters for Scientific and Agriculture roles within Queensland State Government. On this occasion, we are partnering with an amazing Agency tasked with ensuring livestock is protected against pests and disease.

We are seeking several Farmhands to join the casual pool for a key Tick Fever Facility in western Brisbane. In this role, you will work on a casual basis covering planned/unplanned leave, sickness and busy periods during surgeries (occurs every 8 weeks for 1-2 weeks on average). Despite this, we do expect the hours per week to be strong and consistent, with a 76 hour fortnight on offer at the top end. There is also Saturday and Sunday work on offer on a rostered basis. Starting ASAP, you will receive full training and a market-leading hourly rate of $42.25 per hour.

In your day-to-day role, your duties will include:

• Undertaking practical animal related activities within the farm and quarantine shed.
• Undertaking animal care tasks for cattle (calves through to adults) such as cleaning and sanitation of animal enclosures, feeding, and exercising animals.
• Providing practical knowledge and skills in animal husbandry using low stress stock handling techniques to muster and move cattle, draft and process cattle through yards, assist in blood sampling procedures and where appropriate under supervision of a veterinarian administration veterinary prescribed medical treatments.
• Assisting with biosecurity practices to ensure the disease-free status of the vaccine manufacture herd is maintained, disposal of culls and re-location of animals for vaccine production, in accordance with TFC, animal health, animal welfare, and livestock financial management requirements.
• Provision of timely, clear, and accurate information to supervisor and where appropriate other parties with regards to animal welfare issues.
• Providing aid to sick/unwell animals when required. Where appropriate provide basic first aid and calling supervisor and veterinary assistance.
• Assistance with delivery of operational plans for land preparation for pasture improvement, animal nutrition, with a high focus on animal welfare.
• Undertaking property maintenance including water and fencing infrastructure, bores, pumps, solar equipment, fencing, electric fencing and cattle yard maintenance and cleaning.
• Operation of machinery and equipment, including tractors, side by sides, and four-wheel drive Utes, applying chemical for weed control, safely within the guidelines of SOP’s. Conducting servicing, cleaning, and calibration of plant and equipment including chemical, fertilizer and tillage equipment.

With the above tasks in mind, we are seeking candidates with very strong experience working around, handling and managing livestock previously. Hard work, strong communication and respect for your teammates and supervisors is a non-negotiable, as ever. A summary of these key criteria are below:

1. Experience in handling large animals.
2. A current C class driver’s licence.
3. Commitment to obtain QFever vaccination or evidence of prior vaccination will be required prior to starting with Biosecurity Queensland.
4. Participation in an out-of-hours roster will be required. e.g. 4 hours Saturday & 4 hours Sunday.
5. You will be required to maintain an appropriate level of fitness and dexterity and promptly notify your manager of any injury, illness or loss of capacity to undertake standard physical tasks safely and efficiently.

If you think you would be a great fit for this role, please feel free to touch base with us as we are always happy to chat. Call Owen Millar on 0414 706 605 or email Owen@osbornerichardson.com.au.