Duties and Responsibilities
- Be responsible for daily chores; ie: feeding, watering, animal health check, sweeping, scraping, and monitoring of barn temperature/ventilation.
- Administer medication for treatment and prevention of disease and for unhealthy swine.
- Perform heat detection and pregnancy checking of breeding herd.
- Move animals timely in a safe, patient and humane manner to include bred animals, open sows to breeding, and any that may need special care. Never to take more than 6 at any time.
- Help with organization of sow and gilt flow in the barn.
- Be responsible to follow all breeding procedures correctly. Includes rotating semen 2 times daily and recording. Keeping breeding equipment clean.
- Feed animals according to procedure. According to condition, stage of gestation, and age.
- Give adequate water without overwatering and having water waste adding to pit levels.
- Keep all animals tagged and identified.
- Do records accurately, completely, and timely.
- Carry a memo pad and pen at all times to make notes.
- Communicate with supervisor about and issues. ie: sow flow, culls, maintenance, health, and any team projects.
- Cooperate with weekend and holiday schedules and as needed.
- Assist in training of co-workers
- Assist with team projects or any other reasonable duty that may be requested by supervisor or as needed.
- Assist in cleaning of entire unit from taking a turn with power washer to helping with laundry and office cleaning.
- Perform routine maintenance and repairs on building and equipment.
- Work as necessary on team projects and to finish duties daily as a team unit.
- Work efficiently to maintain work schedule. Working until all work is done for the day and at least until 2:00 on Friday.
- Follow and help ensure high biosecurity protocols.
Performance Expectations
- Attendance and punctuality according to employee manual.
- Strive to attain set goals of the unit.
- Keep all work areas clean and organized.
- Ask for help or clarification if you need it.
- Accurate recording of daily production records.
- Communicate with concerns and issues with supervisor.
Code of Ethics
- Treat people with respect and have patience.
- Have a positive attitude toward company and coworkers.
- Work with cooperation and teamwork.
- Humane treatment of all animals under your care.
- Communicate properly with supervisors and coworkers.
- Being ready for work at start time, following am break and lunch break start and end times.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk on concrete floors up to 9 hours a day. Ability to lift live pigs up to 20 pounds. Ability to assist in moving dead animals, 400+ pounds. Ability to handle adult pigs, 200-550 pounds. Ability to kneel and bend at waist for long periods of time. To be able to tolerate dust, animal dander, odors, and noise. Ability to operate high pressure washing equipment up to 8 hours a day.
Working Conditions
- Primarily indoor environment with moderate temperature ranges. Rooms can be noisy, odorous and dusty. Adult animals can cause injury, especially if handled improperly. Normal working hours are 40 hours per week or whatever is required to get the job done. Rotations are required for weekends and holidays.