Herdsperson - Ruckman

Smithfield Foods; Albany (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Missouri is seeking a Herdsperson to assist Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure welfare and well-being of the animals. You will support daily duties on a busy farm and participate in animal health and handling procedures.

Responsibilities include feeding, watering, vaccinating, moving animals, sanitizing facilities, processing piglets, and maintaining production records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergencies and work well in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
• Processes piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
• Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Follows the Standard Operating Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follows the Company's animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal's needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Ability to follow instructions

Long work hours

On-call availability

Adaptability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Your Opportunity

The Herdsperson assists other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare/well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. Employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, bus, and other farm equipment as directed. May be in training for advanced Herd Technician designation. The Herdsperson position will also provide for the care of all animals at the designated work site, particularly their health, growth, and breeding.

Core Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.


• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.


• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.


• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.


• Processes piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.


• Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.


• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.


• Follows the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.


• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.


• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.


• Follows the Company's animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal's needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.


• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.


• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.


• Previous livestock handing helpful.


• Ability to do hard physical labor.


• Strong commitment to teamwork.


• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.


• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.


• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.


• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.


• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.


• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.


• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).

Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

Relocation Package Available

No

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ag