Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE

3M HEALTHCARE; Wallace (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Wallace, NC is hiring for Herdsperson to support Herd Technicians in caring for pigs, including feeding, vaccination, and basic veterinary tasks. The role requires physical work and flexibility to adapt to farm leadership; weekend or holiday shifts may be required.

Starting pay is $16.00 per hour with on‑the‑job training and opportunities for advancement. You will handle animal movement, sanitation, record keeping, and compliance with animal welfare and biosecurity policies

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week.
• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.

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.

Skills

Teamwork

Physical labor

Stamina

Reliability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us.

START PAY $16.00 hour. (IMMEDIATE OPENINGS) FARM HOURS EARLY DAYS SHIFT! PAID ON THE JOB TRAINING/ADVANCED CAREER OPPORTUNITIES! (Dependable Steady Work!)

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.

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.


• May perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions. 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.

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, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.