Poultry Selection Assistant

Aviagen; Lewisburg (WV); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental

PTO + Holidays

EAP & Teladoc

Job summary

Aviagen Turkeys Inc. in Lewisburg, WV, is seeking a Poultry Selection Assistant to support the Genomics team with selection and data collection.

You will gather and present turkeys for evaluation, record identifications and measurements, and maintain an orderly workflow with a focus on humane handling and biosecurity. Key duties include preparing pens and equipment, moving birds safely, and verifying data entries across paper or electronic systems.

Qualifications

• Ability to handle live poultry calmly and humanely.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Basic math for measurements and weights.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and safety guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pens, lanes, and equipment for selection activities.
• Catch, hold, and present birds for evaluation or measurement.
• Record bird identifications and measurements accurately.
• Maintain clean, organized work area and report safety concerns.
• Follow supervisor directions and maintain biosecurity and animal welfare standards.

Skills

Live poultry handling

Attention to detail

Data entry

Teamwork

Biosecurity compliance

Tools

Scales

Handheld scanners

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.

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.

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.

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.

We play a leading role in feeding the world's future generations. We bring smart, passionate people together and watch amazing things happen! Working at Aviagen presents career opportunities that impact an industry. We encourage people to bring their experience and knowledge and help work on complex issues that will shape the future of the poultry industry. In an environment that promotes innovation and progressive approaches to problem solving, Aviagen is working today to be ready for what tomorrow may bring.

Are you ready for the adventure?