Part-Time Hatchery Technician

VALO BioMedia; Adel (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

VALO BioMedia North America, LLC is seeking a Hatchery Associate in Adel, IA. You will comply with bio-security SOPs, operate incubators and hatchers, candle eggs, transfer eggs, and count chicks weekly.

Data on hatch rate, temperature, humidity, and other SOP requirements must be collected daily using various devices. You will prepare pre-incubated eggs for shipping, load-out chicks onto transport, respond to alarms, and work flexible hours.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, manuals, and SOPs.
• Legibly document reports and hatchery data as required.
• Ability to speak effectively with coworkers.
• Proficiency using smartphones, tablets, printers, scanners, and radios.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all bio-security policies and procedures of VALO BioMedia North America, LLC.
• Compliance with and enforcement of all Standard Operating Procedures as detailed by VALO BioMedia North America, LLC.
• Handle and candling of eggs, including transfer from incubator to hatcher.
• Operate incubators and hatchers per SOPs.
• Count chicks weekly.
• Perform equipment maintenance as needed.
• Clean and disinfect equipment weekly; operate washer for hatching baskets and equipment.

Skills

Reading skills

Documentation

Oral communication

Tech literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Smartphones

Tablets

Printers

Scanners

Radios

Job description

• Comply with all bio-security policies and procedures of VALO BioMedia North America, LLC.
• Compliance with and enforcement of all Standard Operating Procedures as detailed by VALO BioMedia North America, LLC.
• Expected to be comfortable handling, and candling eggs, including the transfer of eggs from the incubator to the hatcher.
• Being proficient in operating incubators and hatchers per SOP’s.
• Expected to handle and counting of chicks on a weekly basis.
• May be asked to perform maintenance on equipment if needed.
• Through cleaning and disinfect of equipment of a weekly basis. Able to operate washer for cleaning hatching baskets and other equipment.
• Monitor and troubleshoot during incubation and hatching periods.
• Collect both hand-written and digital data on a daily basis including but not limited to: hatch rate, temperature and humidity readings, viability and others as required in SOP’s.
• Data collection will involve the use of both direct upload and wireless devices such as laptops and tablets and includes the use of various printers.
• Prepare pre-incubated eggs to send out to customer including candling, packaging, and labeling.
• Conduct load-out of chicks onto transport vehicle.
• Be able to respond to alarm notifications as requested by management.
• Be available to come in at different times as the position dictates.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25lbs repetitively, on occasion could lift 50lbs or more. On occasion, push hatching and incubation trollies that can weigh up to 400lbs.
• Maintain the facility in a clean bio-secure condition following the prescribed procedures and disinfectants as detailed in the Standard Operating Procedures.
• All other activities that may be necessary for the successful operation of the Farm and VALO BioMedia North America, LLC.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential weekly duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job training will be provided. Some agricultural experience is a plus but is not required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance manuals, and SOPs. Ability to legibly document reports if needed and other hatchery related data. Ability to speak effectively with other employees.

TECHNOLOGY

The ability to use smartphones, tablets, printers, scanners and radios is required.

SCHEDULE

Monday (5:00 am - approx 1:00 pm), Tuesday (8:00 am - approx 1:30 pm) and Thursday (8:00 am - approx 3:00 pm). This schedule is a rough estimate and is subject to change.