Hatchery Sanitation Associate - 2nd Shift

Perdue Farms; Salisbury (MD); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Perdue Farms in Salisbury, MD is hiring a Hatchery Sanitation Associate on the 2nd shift to keep our hatchery clean, safe, and running at peak performance. The role supports tray washing, chick harvesting, egg transfer, and hatcher sanitation while upholding strict cleanliness and biosecurity standards.

This on-site, full-time position offers a base pay of $16.95 per hour with potential pay premiums, shift differentials and overtime, plus a comprehensive benefits package and annual bonus

Qualifications

• Reading, writing and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Remove clean trays from the washer, inspect each tray, dip it in the disinfectant tank, and place it in a clean rack.
• Move full racks of clean trays to the designated area at the end of the room.
• Use a pallet jack to retrieve up to two racks of chicks from the hatcher and transport them to the harvest room, placing them in the assigned locations.
• Follow the harvest schedule to remove chicks from trays and place them onto the chick belt.
• Empty remaining material from trays, scrape and clean them, and load trays into the washer for processing (up to 720 trays).
• Remove racks of eggs from the setters and transfer eggs to hatcher trays by inverting trays and removing flats, ensuring proper placement into racks (up to 720 trays).
• Repeat the egg transfer process until all trays have been completed according to production requirements.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment by sweeping chick down, and washing and disinfecting hatchers and production areas using approved chemicals, hoses, and foam equipment in accordance with lockout/tagout and company safety procedures.

Skills

Reading, writing and analytical skills

Job description

Hatchery Sanitation Associate - 2nd Shift

Date: Oct 5, 2026

Location: Salisbury, MD, US, 21804

Job Function: Live Production

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Play a vital role in delivering healthy, high-quality chicks by keeping our hatchery clean, safe, and running at peak performance. As a Hatchery Sanitation Associate, you will support essential hatchery operations including tray washing, chick harvesting, egg transfer, and hatcher sanitation while upholding strict cleanliness and biosecurity standards. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in hands-on work, values attention to detail, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of sanitation to protect product quality and animal health.

This position is located onsite at our facility in Salisbury, Maryland Hatchery # 3.

This position has a base rate of $16.95 per hour, with opportunities for pay premiums, shift differentials and overtime where applicable. Annual bonus available (variable depending on performance). In addition to hourly wages, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Schedule:Monday through Friday with weekend work (Saturday and/or Sunday) as required based on department schedules and production needs 4:00 pm-2:00 am.

• Remove clean trays from the washer, inspect each tray, dip it in the disinfectant tank, and place it in a clean rack.
• Move full racks of clean trays to the designated area at the end of the room.
• Use a pallet jack to retrieve up to two racks of chicks from the hatcher and transport them to the harvest room, placing them in the assigned locations.
• Follow the harvest schedule to remove chicks from trays and place them onto the chick belt.
• Empty remaining material from trays, scrape and clean them, and load trays into the washer for processing (up to 720 trays).
• Remove racks of eggs from the setters and transfer eggs to hatcher trays by inverting trays and removing flats, ensuring proper placement into racks (up to 720 trays).
• Repeat the egg transfer process until all trays have been completed according to production requirements.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment by sweeping chick down, and washing and disinfecting hatchers and production areas using approved chemicals, hoses, and foam equipment in accordance with lockout/tagout and company safety procedures.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Reading, writing and analytical skills.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Exposed to temperatures ranging from 60 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit + or - and humidity's up to 100%.
• Work in a wet, damp, dusty (chick down) environment.
• Exposed to chemicals, drugs and vaccines to be covered in MSDS training and hazardous communications.
• Use personal protective equipment as required.
• Be able to travel throughout operation.
• Climb ladders to height of 14 ft.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.