Herdsperson Trainee: Hands-On Animal Care & Farm Ops

Smithfield Foods; Sheldon (MO); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is hiring a Herdsperson to assist Herd Technicians in daily animal care and farm tasks, ensuring welfare and well-being of livestock. Tasks include vaccination, feeding, and general husbandry, with operation of farm equipment as directed.

The role may involve training for advanced Herd Technician designation, extensive on-site duties, and adherence to safety and biosecurity policies at the designated farm location.

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 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.

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

Safety awareness

Hygiene and cleanliness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Smithfield Foods is hiring a Herdsperson to assist Herd Technicians in daily animal care and farm tasks, ensuring welfare and well-being of livestock. Tasks include vaccination, feeding, and general husbandry, with operation of farm equipment as directed.

The role may involve training for advanced Herd Technician designation, extensive on-site duties, and adherence to safety and biosecurity policies at the designated farm location.