UDairy Creamery Dairy Production Intern, Fall 2026

Anticipated Start Date: September 2026

Estimated Pay: $16 per hour

Number of Jobs Available: 1-4

Schedule: Scheduled 3-6 hour shifts as available, in-person

Location: UDairy Creamery Production Facility (529 S College Ave, Room 124 Worrilow Hall, Newark, DE)

About the department / center:

The UDairy Creamery is a non-profit, student-run enterprise of the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Under the guidance of industry professionals, students receive a hands-on, immersive education in the principles of food science, safety and production, dairy science, business management, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agriculture.

Role Description:

The Dairy Production interns primarily assist in the production of cheese and ice cream. This includes hands-on experience in picking-up raw milk, processing into a finished product, packaging for retail sale and/or storage, and cleaning and sanitizing the facility and equipment. This position works directly with Creamery Management to plan out production timelines, ingredients, and batches.

Role Expectations:

• Serve as a UDairy Creamery representative, developing connections with the campus community with the goal of communicating how our products are made, the precautions we take to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers, and the logic as to which flavors are created or returned into rotation.
• Become an expert on the UDairy philosophy, mission statement and partnership- be able to communicate that information confidently.
• Complete tasks as assigned by the Creamery Management Team.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist in picking up milk from the UD dairy farm.
• Assist in cheesemaking and filling out make-sheets.
• Assist in making ice cream mix and filling out make-sheets.
• Assist in freezing and packaging ice cream and filling out make-sheets.
• Assist in updating records including validation and temperature logs.
• Participate in manual cleaning, COP (Clean Out of Place), CIP (Clean in Place), and sanitation procedures and processes.
• Observe and help maintain the Food Safety Plan including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
• Assist with Food safety testing.
• Assist in developing recipes and test batches for signature cheese under the UDairy Creamery name.
• Assist in developing recipes and test batches for signature ice cream mixes and flavors under the UDairy Creamery name.
• Assist with training other UDairy staff to work safely in cheese production area, ice cream production area and/or QA testing Lab
• Be able to work independently and complete assigned tasks within timelines needed as may be required by regulatory authorities
• Heavy lifting, standing for long periods and strenuous movement should be anticipated

Qualifications:  

• At least 1 year of food safety, food science, or food processing experience.
• Must have excellent communication and time management skills and the ability to work independently on projects.

 Position Requirements:

• While schedules can vary, interns must work 1-2 shifts per week, of at least 3 hours per shift during GFIL production days (Monday through Thursday). Shifts will likely be 7am-11am and 1pm-6pm (or a variation of these hours as academic schedules allow).
• Interns will be hired to work during academic sessions (spring, summer, fall, and winter). While the position is open until filled, students are expected to start work when classes begin for the semester through the last day of exams at the end of the semester. All applicants will report directly to the Assistant Director, Production Facility, with support from the UDairy management team

Hiring Timeline:

Application Review: As applications come in 

Interviews-The week of 8/10

Offers Extended-First date on site September 14th or once onboarding complete

Please note that dates are subject to change depending on the needs of the department.

For undergraduate student applicants:

Eligibility for Undergraduate Student Employment

Applicants must be undergraduate students at the University of Delaware. Work study eligibility can be found here. Applicants who are not enrolled as undergraduate students at the University will not be considered for this position. Employment Limitations and Exceptions

For graduate student applicants:

Eligibility for Graduate Student Employment

Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Delaware and be in good academic standing. To be considered for additional on-campus employment, applicants combined on-campus employment, including teaching, research and graduate assistantship, must not exceed 29.5 hours per week.

Graduate students on contract may hold additional employment, on campus or off, up to 29.5 hours per week total without approval by the student’s program, the student advisor or the Graduate College. However, graduate students on contract are encouraged to discuss additional employment with their advisors to avoid any situations that might hinder timely progress toward the degree.