ROLE PROFILE SUMMARY:
This position specializes in the daily pork production activities within the farrowing and gestation departments. This position involves working in an agricultural environment with continuous hands-on interaction with livestock and regular structured routines. The position involves training for new employees, including extensive communication with employees who do not speak English as their first language.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Overall care and processing of pregnant/farrowing sows and their piglets
- Routine and seasonal piglet and sow vaccinations and injections
- Perform breeding/insemination processes
- Monitor, test and care for pregnant sows
- Animal feeding and nutrition management
- Training of other employees
- Serve as the primary source of communication for employees who do not speak English
- Serve as team lead in the absence of the department lead
- General facility cleaning, maintenance and hygiene
- Maintain and monitor overall animal health, care and treatment
- Production recordkeeping
- Power washing
- Light maintenance
- Follow all safety rules and practices and encourage coworkers to do the same
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma desired
- Ability to do basic math – addition, subtraction, and multiplication
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- MUST be fluent in Spanish
- 5+ years of swine industry experience preferred, but not required
REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Regular, consistent attendance
- Requires exemplary production, problem-solving and communication skills
- Requires dedication, goal-oriented, motivation, positive attitude and ability to work effectively as a team
- Requires time-management skills, as well as the ability to adapt and function effectively in a fast paced, changing environment
- Must possess basic computer skills and be proficient in software specific to swine industry
Respect and care for all animals is required. The ideal candidate must also possess experience in creating a culture of respect and care for all animals throughout the farm system. Knowledge and enforcement of the latest industry biosecurity best practices must be observed and enforced throughout the farm operation. This includes daily showering in and out of facilities where animals are housed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Ability to work in noise levels that may require hearing protection
- Ability to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch for extended periods of time on varied surfaces
- Ability to reach with hands and arms, perform repetitive motions, climb over 4-foot gates
- Ability to manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation or assistance from another team member.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Ability to work in a highly interruptive environment
- Must be capable of being on their feet for 10 hours
- Must possess ambulatory skills sufficient to move throughout the farm
- Must possess good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp
BENEFITS/REWARDS OF JOB:
This position provides a rewarding team atmosphere where hard-working individuals have virtually unlimited career advancement and management opportunities. Employees enjoy working as a team to achieve personal and departmental goals and will often be involved in the implementation of new and exciting production technology.