Nursery-Finishing Farm Technician
Your Opportunity
The Nursery-Finishing Farm Technician is responsible for assisting other Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare/well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. Employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, bus and other farm equipment as directed. May be in training for advanced Technician designation. The Technician position will also provide for the care of all animals at the designated work site, particularly their health and growth.
Core Responsibilities
- Follow the safety requirements of the Injury Prevention System (IPS)
- Learn, understand, and implement all policies and procedures that relate to Biosecurity
- Abide by all company policies, procedures and guidelines as directed by farm leadership
- Works as a team player by accomplishing daily department work requirements and farm goals
- Assist in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows
- Sanitize and wash multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment
- Feed, water, vaccinate, and perform general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures
- Process piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching
- Maintain accurate production information and update all department records as required
- Treat sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required
- Follow the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required
- Assist with facility and equipment maintenance
- Assist with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties
- Follow the Company’s animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal’s needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia
- Responsible for complying with all environmental laws and procedures
- Report all environmental issues immediately to their supervisor
- Read and understand the company’s emergency notification process and how it applies to their specific worksite
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
- High School diploma or GED preferred
- Previous livestock handing helpful
- Ability to do hard physical labor
- Ability to be flexible with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership
- Strong commitment to teamwork
- Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility
- Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations
- Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently
- Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed
- Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages
- Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
- Must understand that Smithfield is a producer of high-quality pork for human consumption and must be supportive of the mission of raising swine for meat
- Must be able to tolerate and willing to learn and perform the following tasks: euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, piglet processing, ear tagging and tattooing for identification, taking blood samples and other procedures normal to animal husbandry
- Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin)
- Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, orders, and frequently hot and noisy conditions
Career Benefits
To learn more about Smithfield’s benefits, visit smithfieldfoods.com/careerbenefits.
Why Work at Smithfield Foods?
We are committed to meeting our employees' needs, addressing their concerns and helping them enjoy rewarding careers with our company.
PEOPLE MATTERWith more than 60,000 jobs globally, our employees drive our success. We strive to create a fair, ethical and rewarding work environment. |
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENTWorking at Smithfield isn't just a job – it's the foundation for a lifelong career with training designed to help you advance professionally. |
BENEFITSOur people matter. That's why we offer excellent, comprehensive benefits packages to our full-time employees. |
SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGESustainability is ingrained in our culture and guides how we operate. We believe in innovating for the future. |
About Smithfield Foods
Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly®" and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies.We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030.
We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others.
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