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.
- Assist sows in the farrowing process.
- Perform piglet day 1 procedures. (drying pigs, split suckling, cross fostering, etc)
- Maintain comfortable environments for both sow and litter. Adjusting heat lamps daily to maintain zone environment.
- Perform castration and rupture repair procedures.
- Perform processing and piglet shot procedures.
- Feed sows according to stage of lactation, trying to challenge them to eat a lot.
- Maintain flow within farrowing that capitalizes on health and maximum wean age.
- Remove dead animals daily and put in pickup area without crossing biosecurity line.
- 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 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.