Animal Production Specialist

The HANOR Company Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title:

Animal Production Specialist

Department: Boar Stud, Gilt Development, Breeding, Gestation, Farrowing, Nursery, and Finisher

Location: Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, or Wisconsin

Description: Animal Production Specialists are responsible for all aspects of husbandry as it relates to the care and production of swine.

Essential Functions – Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

General Duties for Sow Farm Production Units:

• Collection, extension and dissemination of swine semen (Specific to Gene Transfer Centers)
• Conducting estrus detection of female swine to accurately identify heat cycles.
• Artificial insemination of female swine.
• Use of ultra-sound equipment for pregnancy detection.
• Attending to animals during and after birth of offspring, as needed.
• Processes piglets according to the processing plan specific to each farm:
• Injecting or oral dosing piglets with proper medication.
• Surgically removes testes.
• Surgically removes tails.
• Clips identifying notches or symbols on animals, attaches tags to the ear, and/or tattoos animals.

General Duties for Nursery and Finisher Production Units:

• Accepting weaned pigs at the farm, sorting and placing pigs in pens as outlined in HANOR Production Practices.
• Setting up and utilizing gruel machines for feeding disadvantaged weaned pigs.
• Vaccinating animals by utilizing vaccine in drinking water, feed or using syringes and hypodermic needles as dictated by the farm specific protocol.
• Will spend 80%-90% of time doing chores within the facility which include the following:
• Daily walk through of pens to check for issues in the facility.
• Check waters and feeders for proper settings.
• Order feed for the farm 2 days prior to delivery.
• Treat pigs that need to be treated on a daily basis.
• Record proper information on paperwork daily – i.e. Hi/Low temps, Water meter, Inventory.
• Responsible for load in and load out of the pigs from the facility.
• Responsible for whole herd vaccinations.
• Moving animals within the facility.

General Duties for All Production Units:

• Ensuring that animals have feed and water.
• Feeding and watering animals, by using the automatic or manual systems available.
• Examining animals to detect illness and injuries, follow-up with proper treatment or euthanasia as necessary.
• Maintains proper hygiene in facilities.
• Minor repairs to equipment, buildings, crates, and pens.
• As necessary, euthanizing animals using company approved techniques.
• Recording/maintaining production and medication data as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Dependent on the level of experience and need, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of swine anatomy, swine production methods, people management principles, leadership techniques, and resource management.
• Graduate with a 4-year degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Animal Breeding, Animal Husbandry or other acceptable degree in related field of study.
• Basic/Novice written and oral English abilities preferred.
• Basic/Intermediate math skills required.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Must also follow instructions.
• None.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting 1-100 or more pounds.
• Carrying 1-100 or more pounds.
• Ascending/Descending stairs and ladders.
• Sitting, Walking, Standing, Stopping, Kneeling, Bending, Squatting, Climbing, Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Reaching.
• Exposure to changes in temperature, humidity, dust, fumes, odors.
• Far Vision, Near Vision, Hearing, Talking, Depth Perception.
• Repetitive actions with hands and feet.

Work Environment:

The temperature inside the facility will vary depending on the weather. Employees will come into contact with feed dust and the body fluids of animals that will include, but not limited to blood, saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter, etc.

This job description may not be all-inclusive and may be subject to change.