ANIMAL CARETAKER I

Pilgrim; Lamar, Las Animas (CO, CO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim in Lamar, Colorado is seeking an Animal Care Technician I to join a team focused on animal care in a production setting. You will learn and develop skills in feeding, movement, biosecurity, and routine tasks in the designated work area.

The role requires teamwork, reliability, and willingness to work weekends and holidays on a rotating schedule. You will operate equipment, assist with farrowing and breeding tasks, and adapt to daily production changes while maintaining safety and hygiene

Qualifications

• Previous animal care experience preferred but not required.
• Be a team oriented, self-motivated and positive individual with strong work ethic.
• Ability to learn technology knowledge: handheld devices/wand sow, and other equipment as necessary
• Work weekend and holiday hours as required on a rotational basis.

Responsibilities

• Learn and develop individual skills based on work requirements in the employees designated work area.
• Work in a cohesive team environment to provide essential care to the animals.
• Operating machinery and equipment.
• Assisting with farrowing (birth).
• Assist with breeding (artificial insemination).
• Vaccinating and medicating sows and piglets.
• Loading and unloading pigs as scheduled.
• Adhere to all biosecurity standards including showering in and out of facilities.

Skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Adaptability

Reliability

Technology literacy

Tools

Handheld devices

Job description

• Learn and develop individual skills based on work requirements in the employees designated work area.
• Work in a cohesive team environment to provide essential care to the animals.
• Expect 100% supervision for the first 30 days of employment followed. Determination of Animal Care Technician 2 to be made at 90 days of employment.
• Basic sow/gilt handling: feeding/watering/moving.
• Operating machinery and equipment.
• Assisting with farrowing (birth).
• Assist with breeding (artificial insemination).
• Handling and using chemicals.
• Vaccinating and medicating sows and piglets.
• Ability to use computer equipment: hand held devices and electronic wands.
• Loading and unloading pigs as scheduled.
• Adhere to all biosecurity standards including showering in and out of facilities.

Success Factors:

• At 90 days of employment, if supervision level is 30% or less, a move to Animal Care Technician 2 will be warranted. If 100% supervision is mandated, continue at Animal Care Technician 1 with further 30 day reviews. THIS IS A SKILLS BASED ASSESSMENT BASED ON A TIMEFRAME OF DISCUSSION!!
• Able to act in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a systematic approach to decision making.
• Able to react to a work environment that will change day to day as unexpected things occur in the production system.
• Reliable transportation to get to and from work, located in a rural area.

Job Qualifications:

• Previous animal care experience preferred but not required.
• Be a team oriented, self-motivated and positive individual with strong work ethic.
• Ability to learn or already have technology knowledge: hand held devices/wand sows, and other equipment as necessary
• Work weekend and holiday hours as required on a rotational basis.

Working Conditions:

• Standing, walking and the ability to be on feet 8 to 10 hours per day.
• Frequent bending, reaching, squatting and kneeling.
• Frequent use of one or both arms to grasp or pull.
• Frequent lifting of objects weighing 3 – 20 pounds.
• Occasional bending wile pulling or lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds or requiring up to 50 pounds of force to move.
• Occasional bending wile pulling or lifting objects weighing up to 100 pounds or requiring up to 100 pounds of force to move.
• Ability to print and or write legibly
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with all office equipment is required.
• Ability to work in animal confinement conditions
• Extended hours are required as needed.
• Ability to work a schedule of 12 days on and 2 days off.