Herdsperson Trainee: Farm Animal Care & Training

Smithfield Foods; Sheldon (MO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Sheldon, MO seeks a Herdsperson to assist Herd Technicians with routine animal care, welfare, and general farm tasks. Responsibilities include feeding, vaccinating, sanitation, animal movement, and operating farm equipment as directed.

The role requires hard physical labor, teamwork, and flexibility for a 48-hour workweek, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. Training may lead to an advanced Herd Technician designation, with adherence to safety and animal welfare

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.

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.
• Collect boars, process collection in on-site laboratory, and distribute semen doses to sow farms.
• 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.

Skills

Hard physical labor

Teamwork

Follow instructions

Shower daily

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Smithfield Foods in Sheldon, MO seeks a Herdsperson to assist Herd Technicians with routine animal care, welfare, and general farm tasks. Responsibilities include feeding, vaccinating, sanitation, animal movement, and operating farm equipment as directed.

The role requires hard physical labor, teamwork, and flexibility for a 48-hour workweek, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. Training may lead to an advanced Herd Technician designation, with adherence to safety and animal welfare