Assistant Genetic Technician

christensenfarms; Pierre (SD); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays & PTO

Hybrid work options

Job summary

Christensen Farms is seeking an Assistant Genetic Technician to support the Genetic Technician in evaluating and selecting animals within our genetic program. This entry-level role includes hands-on live-animal assessments, maintaining genetic records, and coordinating pig flows across locations under supervision.

You'll participate in data collection, testing, and routine tasks across production cycles while ensuring animal welfare and biosecurity standards, with training and career growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is preferred, ideally in agriculture or animal science.
• At least 1 year of swine production experience; genetic information or live-animal selection preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to biosecurity, safety and proper animal welfare practices.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required (spoken and written).

Responsibilities

• Conduct live-animal genetic testing including leg scoring, muscle scoring, puberty data collection, weighing, and ultrasound scanning for backfat and loin depth.
• Select gilts and boars based on phenotypic quality, underline evaluation, and structural soundness.
• Manage animal flows to and from grow-out units, ensuring proper separation and tracking of genetic lines.
• Record, track, and maintain accurate genetic and performance data, including pen card management and monthly selection/testing reports.
• Coordinate logistics of pig movement, marketing schedules, and hauling needs while ensuring strict biosecurity compliance.
• Support general production tasks including sorting, shipping, marking pigs for sale, treating and vaccinating animals, ventilation adjustments, and power washing.
• Identify and treat sick or injured animals, perform bleeding and diagnostics, and ensure timely euthanasia when required.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and production teams regarding scheduling, health issues, performance, and record requirements.
• Vaccine administration and management.
• Managing Heat Induction Program.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or animal science

Job description

Christensen Farms is one of the largest, family-owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, our 50 year old company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns three feed mills, manages 140,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow‑finish sites. Our organization employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships. We are an industry leader with a proven commitment to ethical practices, food safety, and nutrition. Join our team!

Position Overview

The Assistant Genetic Technician supports the Genetic Technician in the evaluation, testing, and selection of animals within the genetic program. This role performs hands‑on live‑animal assessments, maintains detailed genetic records, manages pig flows across multiple locations, and supports daily production activities to ensure accuracy, animal welfare, and program integrity. This position is designed as an entry‑level training role for the Genetic Technician position and follows a rotating schedule consisting of three weeks of training alongside a Genetic Technician, followed by one week performing hands‑on Genetic Technician responsibilities under supervision.

What You Will Do

• Conduct live‑animal genetic testing including leg scoring, muscle scoring, puberty data collection, weighing, and ultrasound scanning for backfat and loin depth.
• Select gilts and boars based on phenotypic quality, underline evaluation, and structural soundness.
• Manage animal flows to and from grow‑out units, ensuring proper separation and tracking of genetic lines.
• Record, track, and maintain accurate genetic and performance data, including pen card management and monthly selection/testing reports.
• Coordinate logistics of pig movement, marketing schedules, and hauling needs while ensuring strict biosecurity compliance.
• Support general production tasks including sorting, shipping, marking pigs for sale, treating and vaccinating animals, ventilation adjustments, and power washing.
• Identify and treat sick or injured animals, perform bleeding and diagnostics, and ensure timely euthanasia when required.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and production teams regarding scheduling, health issues, performance, and record requirements.
• Vaccine administration and management.
• Managing Heat Induction Program.

What You Offer Us

• Bachelor's degree is preferred, ideally in an agriculture or animal science discipline.
• At least 1 year of swine production experience; experience with genetic information or live‑animal selection is preferred.
• Strong ability to manage time, priorities, and multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently, think critically, and exercise sound judgment.
• Commitment to biosecurity, safety, and proper animal welfare practices.
• Comfortable with recordkeeping, data entry, and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required (spoken and written).

What We Offer You

• Take advantage of hands‑on leadership opportunities, ongoing training, and clear career advancement paths within a collaborative team environment that values hard work, accountability, and personal growth across all levels of the organization.
• We offer a comprehensive 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, paid time off bank, an employee assistance program (EAP), and more.
• Be an active part of an organization that gives back to the community in many ways - including feed programs that support local farms, food shelf programs, food support for veterans, agriculture education and promotion, FFA/4H support, charitable contributions, etc.
• A company that has a passionate purpose for food safety, animal welfare, and for living its core values every day - respect, integrity, excellence, adaptability, and innovation.
• A culture that fosters employee growth, hybrid work options, promotion from within, and a highly team‑oriented workplace environment.

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.