Poultry Selection Assistant

Aviagen; Lewisburg (KY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

AD&D

EAP

Teladoc

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Holidays

PTO

Job summary

Aviagen Turkeys Inc. seeks a Poultry Selection Assistant to support the Genomics team in turkey selection and data collection.

You will gather, move, and present birds for evaluation, record identifications and measurements, and maintain an orderly workflow under strict biosecurity and animal-welfare standards. The role emphasizes humane handling, attention to detail, teamwork, and adherence to data integrity.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience with poultry, livestock, or farm service crews preferred but not required.
• Job-specific training provided for handling, measurement, sampling, equipment, and data procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pens, staging areas, lanes, equipment, and supplies before activities.
• Locate and move turkeys to the selection area with care.
• Catch, hold, position, and present birds for evaluation.
• Maintain bird identity and group assignment during processes.
• Record bird data accurately in paper or electronic systems.
• Observe birds and report injuries, illness, or stress immediately.
• Follow all biosecurity, animal welfare, and safety procedures.

Skills

Poultry handling

Detail orientation

Math skills

Procedural compliance

Data entry

Teamwork

Data security

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Handheld scanners

Scales

Tablets

Computers

Job description

Job Description Summary:

Aviagen Turkeys Inc. is looking for a Poultry Selection Assistant. This employee supports the Genomics team during turkey selection and data collection. The employee gathers, moves, catches, holds, and presents turkeys for evaluation; records bird identification and assigned measurements; and maintains an orderly selection workflow. The role requires humane bird handling, close attention to detail, dependable teamwork, and strict compliance with biosecurity, animal-welfare, safety, and data-integrity requirements.

Job Description:

Selection Support and Bird Handling

• Prepare pens, staging areas, lanes, equipment, and supplies before selection or measurement activities begin.
• Locate and gather the correct turkeys by flock, pen, group, or other assigned identifier and move them calmly and safely to the selection area.
• Catch, hold, position, and present birds in a consistent manner so authorized team members can evaluate or measure them efficiently.
• Maintain each bird’s identity and group assignment throughout the process; prevent mix‑ups when birds are moved, measured, selected, separated, or returned.
• Move birds to the correct designated pen or category according to selector instructions and assist with counts or reconciliation when requested.
• Observe birds during handling and immediately report signs of injury, illness, excessive stress, missing identification, or other concerns.

Data Collection and Integrity

• Read and confirm individual bird identification, such as wing bands, leg bands, tags, pen numbers, or electronic identifiers, before recording information.
• Collect assigned measurements and observations, including body weight and other approved selection or phenotype data, using scales, electronic devices, and measuring equipment as trained.
• Enter or record information accurately and completely in the required paper or electronic system and follow established data‑entry order and naming conventions.
• Review entries for completeness and obvious errors; repeat questionable measurements or notify the appropriate team member when an identification or data discrepancy occurs.
• Assist with approved sampling or related genomics activities when trained and assigned.
• Protect confidential and proprietary breeding, selection, and genomics information and share it only with authorized personnel.

Biosecurity, Animal Welfare, and Safety

• Follow all company, farm, and flock‑specific biosecurity procedures, including required showering, clothing changes, personal protective equipment, downtime, and vehicle, footwear, tool, and equipment sanitation.
• Handle turkeys humanely and in accordance with company animal‑welfare standards; use approved handling and restraint techniques to minimize stress and prevent injury.
• Clean and disinfect selection areas, equipment, crates, carts, and tools before, during, and after work as assigned.
• Follow safe‑work practices for animal handling, lifting, repetitive movement, powered or manual equipment, chemicals, and walking surfaces.
• Report injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, equipment problems, bird‑welfare concerns, and possible biosecurity breaches immediately.
• Comply with company restrictions regarding contact with or ownership of poultry, other birds, and swine, as applicable to the position and work location.

Team and Operational Support

• Follow daily work assignments and technical direction from Genomics, Selection, Farm, and other authorized team members.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers to maintain safe bird movement, accurate identification, and efficient workflow.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and properly store, charge, or return equipment and supplies after use.
• Participate in required training and demonstrate continued proficiency in bird handling, measurement procedures, data entry, biosecurity, safety, and animal welfare.
• Provide service‑crew or other farm support related to selection activities as workload requires and perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to handle live poultry calmly, confidently, and humanely in a fast‑moving team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate bird identification, counts, measurements, and records.
• Basic math skills and ability to read scales, measurements, labels, and identification numbers accurately.
• Ability to learn and consistently follow detailed written, verbal, and demonstrated procedures.
• Ability to use or learn handheld scanners, scales, tablets, computers, and other data‑collection equipment used by the team.
• Dependability, punctuality, and willingness to complete repetitive work without sacrificing accuracy or animal care.
• Ability to work cooperatively, accept direction, communicate concerns promptly, and adjust to changing flock and selection needs.
• Ability to protect confidential information and follow established data‑integrity practices.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered.
• Experience working with poultry, livestock, agricultural production, animal handling, production data, or farm service crews is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience entering data or using basic electronic devices is helpful.
• Job‑specific training will be provided for approved handling, measurement, sampling, equipment, and data procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly stand and walk for extended periods on concrete, litter, uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
• Frequently bend, stoop, squat, kneel, reach, grasp, and use repetitive hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, and back movements while gathering, catching, holding, and moving turkeys.
• Safely lift, carry, hold, and restrain live turkeys and job‑related equipment within the weight limits established for the work area, using team lifts or mechanical assistance when required.
• Maintain the balance, coordination, grip strength, and mobility needed to work safely around moving birds, gates, pens, carts, crates, and equipment.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and complete required biosecurity entry and exit procedures.

Work Environment and Schedule

• Work is primarily performed in poultry houses, selection rooms, farm buildings, and related agricultural environments.
• The employee may be exposed to dust, dander, feathers, litter, odors, noise, disinfectants, wet conditions, insects, and seasonal temperature and humidity changes.
• Work involves close contact with live turkeys and the possibility of scratches, pecks, sudden bird movement, and other routine animal‑handling hazards.
• Selection and flock needs may require early mornings, extended shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, schedule changes, or travel between company farms and facilities.
• Attendance and punctuality are essential because selection work is coordinated across birds, farms, equipment, and multiple team members.

Benefits:

Aviagen Turkey’s Inc. provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the healthcare and financial well‑being of our employees. Aviagen offers medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short‑Term Disability, and Long‑Term Disability coverage, subject to the terms and conditions of Plan documents. Additionally, you will be eligible for company observed paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO) at a rate of 14 days per year, prorated based on your hire date.