Hatchery Laborer

JBS Foods; Russellville (AR); On-site; USD 19,286,000 - 23,419,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision, Medical, Dental after 60 days

401(k) company match after year one

Base hourly rate $14.60

Job summary

Pilgrim’s Hatchery in Russellville, AR is hiring for a Hatchery Labor position. You will handle eggs, monitor incubators, assist with chick hatching, and perform quality checks while maintaining strict biosecurity and sanitation standards.

The role requires reliability, teamwork, and the ability to work in a high-temperature environment with physical tasks. English/Spanish bilingual skills are a plus, and the base hourly rate is $14.60 with safety-driven expectations.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.
• Skills: Ability to multitask and work quickly; good written and oral communication; team player.

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) for optimal hatching.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer with proper care.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks for health and biosecurity.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas per safety guidelines.
• Follow biosecurity and animal welfare protocols.
• Record data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting.
• Assist with chick vaccination and transport preparation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Multitask

Communication skills

Team player

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Incubators

Chick handling equipment

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 Russellville, AL 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 10 0 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 4 AM to 11:30 am or until production is complete;
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base hourly salary rate of $14.60 Piece Rate
• 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

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.

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 mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets