Hatchery - Labor

Pilgrim's; Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision, Medical, and Dental

PTO

401(k) with company match

Attendance incentive

Career development

Better Futures

Job summary

Pilgrim’s Hatchery in Broadway, VA is hiring for a Hatchery Labor role where safety and animal welfare come first. Responsibilities include handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching, and performing quality checks to ensure top biosecurity and care.

The position requires high school education, ability to lift heavy loads, and willingness to work in a fast‑paced environment with teamwork and reliability.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience in poultry or food industry is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must be able to work in high-temperature environments and lift 100 lbs+.

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) to ensure optimal hatching results.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, ensuring proper care and handling.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas to meet strict safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Follow all biosecurity and animal welfare protocols to protect flock health and product integrity.
• Record and maintain accurate data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting purposes.
• Assist with chick vaccination and preparation for transport, ensuring proper handling and care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Multitasking

Written & Oral Communication

Team Player

Follow Instructions

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Description

Hatchery Labor

At Pilgrim’s,Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

Join our Pilgrim’s Hatchery Team in Broadway, VA and help ensure the healthy start of our poultry flock! In this hands‑on role, you’ll be responsible for tasks such as handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching, and performing quality checks to maintain the highest animal care and biosecurity standards. You’ll operate specialized equipment, keep work areas clean, and follow strict safety and sanitation protocols. This is a fast‑paced environment where precision and teamwork are essential. If you’re reliable, detail‑oriented, and eager to learn, this is your chance to grow with a company dedicated to excellence and animal welfare!

Responsibilities:

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.


• Monitor incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) to ensure optimal hatching results.


• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, ensuring proper care and handling.


• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.


• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas to meet strict safety and sanitation guidelines.


• Follow all biosecurity and animal welfare protocols to protect flock health and product integrity.


• Record and maintain accurate data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting purposes.


• Assist with chick vaccination and preparation for transport, ensuring proper handling and care.


• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

• Education: High School Diploma/GED preferred.


• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.


• Skills: Ability to multitask and work quickly, have good communication skills both written and orally, ability to comprehend simple instructions and apply common sense, and must be a team player.


• Physical requirements: Work in high-temperature environments (100+°F), tolerate odors, and handle repetitive lifting/pushing of 100 lbs or more with continuous physical activity. Candidate must be able to push/pull 450 lb. buggies (on wheels) of chicks and eggs.


• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.


• Must not raise any poultry or birds.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s?

• Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 5 AM to 2 PM or until production is complete;


• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;


• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays or, any other statutorily required paid leave [if applicable];


• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;


• Base hourly salary rate of $18.05-$21.60 depending on position offered; 32+ hours a week.


• Perfect attendance incentive of $2.00 extra per hour for perfect attendance;


• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs;


• Better Futures

About us:

Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe.

Our vision:

Become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members.

Our core values are:

Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.