Animal Care Technician - Canby, MN

Christensen Farms; Canby (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k)

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

Christensen Farms is hiring an Animal Care Technician to support Farrowing and Breeding departments. This role involves daily animal care, monitoring health, and maintaining biosecurity in a fast-paced barn environment.

The position starts at $20/hr with comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, FSA, life insurance, disability, a 401(k), paid holidays, PTO, and EAP. Monday–Friday schedule with rotating weekends; full-time hours and consistent team support.

Qualifications

• Reliable with a strong work ethic and daily task focus.
• Physically able to perform barn tasks and environment.
• Ability to follow established SOPs and protocols.
• Willingness to learn and grow within livestock production.
• Team player with good communication and safety mindset.
• Commitment to biosecurity and animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provide feed and water to animals daily.
• Heat checking and breeding sows per schedule and gilt heat induction.
• Process piglets with castration, tail docking, and iron/antibiotics.
• Assist with farrowing and provide litter care.
• Monitor health of sows and litters and administer treatments as needed.
• Maintain sanitation, clean facilities, and accurate records per safety protocols.

Skills

Reliability

Physical fitness

Protocol adherence

Teamwork & communication

Biosecurity awareness

Job description

Christensen Farms is offering a Sign-On & Retention Bonus of $2,500 for all eligible newly-hired Animal Care Technicians.

Position Overview:

We're looking for a dedicated Animal Care Technician to join our team, supporting both the Farrowing and Breeding departments. This hands-on role is essential to the daily care of our animals and overall barn operations, ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of our swine herd. The ideal candidate is reliable, hardworking, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, physical environment. A passion for animal welfare, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to biosecurity and safety are key. If you're seeking a meaningful, long-term career in livestock production with an industry leader, this is a great place to start. Join our team!

What You Will Do:

• Provide feed and water to the animals daily to maintain consistent health and nutrition
• Heat checking/Breed sows in heat per daily schedule, and perform gilt heat induction following established protocols
• Process piglets by castrating, tail docking, and administering iron/antibiotics
• Assist with farrowing with litter care, and ensuring piglet warmth
• Monitor sows and litters daily to identify health issues, provide treatments, and support animal well-being
• Maintain sanitation through cleaning, disinfecting, and pit draining; handle animal movements, assist with weaning, and keep accurate records while adhering to biosecurity and safety protocols

What You Offer Us:

• Consistent reliability and strong work ethic, with a commitment to showing up prepared and performing daily tasks with precision
• Physical readiness and resilience to handle the demands of barn work while maintaining high standards of animal care
• Ability to follow established protocols and SOPs with attention to detail across all areas, including feeding, breeding, and sanitation
• Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within the livestock industry through hands-on experience and structured training
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, contributing to a positive, efficient, and safety-focused work environment
• Dedication to upholding biosecurity measures, animal welfare standards, and company policies in all aspects of daily work

Pay and Benefits

This Animal Care Technician position starts at $20/hr. We also offer a great benefits package including health, dental, vision, a flexible spending account (FSA), life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, a paid time off bank, and an employee assistance program (EAP).

Work Schedule

Although hours may vary, the typical work schedule for an Animal Care Technician position is Monday through Friday, 6:00 am 3:30 pm with a rotating weekend. When you work the weekend, you will have a scheduled day off during the week. This full-time job averages 43-45 hours a week.

Reports To:

Sow Farm Manager

Christensen Farms is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to select the most qualified person for each position in the organization. No employee of CF will discriminate against any applicant for employment or a fellow employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, citizenship status, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other prohibited basis under applicable local, state, or federal law.