Summer Hourly Intern - Grow Out

Mountaire Farms; Candor (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite health centers

Dental & Vision programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Profit Sharing

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Mountaire Farms offers a summer internship in Live Operations to evaluate equipment, technology, and practices affecting bird performance, welfare, and production efficiency in grow-out operations. The intern will collect and analyze production data, assess equipment performance, and identify improvement opportunities.

The project focuses on cup drinker systems and paw quality, plus barn tools, feed return processes, and bin sensor accuracy to improve decision-making and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled and pursuing a degree in Poultry Science.
• Familiarity with poultry farming and grow-out operations.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; quick learner who is coachable and adaptable.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced production environment.
• Valid Driver's license.
• Must pass the Mountaire Motor Vehicle Record check.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel with the ability to analyze and interpret production data.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the impact of cup drinker systems on paw quality and overall bird welfare through data collection, field observations, and production analysis.
• Assess the effectiveness of barn tools, feed return practices, and bin sensor accuracy to identify opportunities for improved operational performance and decision-making.
• Collect and interpret flock performance and production data to support continuous improvement initiatives across grow-out operations.
• Help qualify the return on investment (ROI) of new technologies, equipment, and management practices while strengthening partnerships with key industry suppliers and service providers.
• Develop and present recommendations that improve bird health, operational efficiency, and overall grow-out performance.
• Completes assigned tasks identified by department mentor.
• Attends semi-monthly seminar series.
• Completes and presents summer project presentation.
• Completes internship evaluations at weeks 5 and 10.
• Follows all company safety policies, standard operating procedure (SOP) regulations, as well as supports the Goal Zero mission statement.

Skills

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Independence

Time management

Microsoft Office

Education

Poultry Science program enrollment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

This internship will support Live Operations by evaluating equipment, technology, and management practices that impact bird performance, welfare, and operational efficiency in grow-out operations. Working alongside Live Operations teams, the intern will collect and analyze production data, assess equipment performance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. The project will focus on evaluating cup drinker systems and their impact on paw quality, as well as assessing barn tools, feed return processes, and bin sensor accuracy to improve decision-making and production outcomes.

Primary Purpose

This internship will support Live Operations by evaluating equipment, technology, and management practices that impact bird performance, welfare, and operational efficiency in grow-out operations. Working alongside Live Operations teams, the intern will collect and analyze production data, assess equipment performance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. The project will focus on evaluating cup drinker systems and their impact on paw quality, as well as assessing barn tools, feed return processes, and bin sensor accuracy to improve decision-making and production outcomes.

Project Highlights

• Evaluate the impact of cup drinker systems on paw quality and overall bird welfare through data collection, field observations, and production analysis.
• Assess the effectiveness of barn tools, feed return practices, and bin sensor accuracy to identify opportunities for improved operational performance and decision-making.
• Collect and interpret flock performance and production data to support continuous improvement initiatives across grow-out operations.
• Help qualify the return on investment (ROI) of new technologies, equipment, and management practices while strengthening partnerships with key industry suppliers and service providers.
• Develop and present recommendations that improve bird health, operational efficiency, and overall grow-out performance.
• Completes assigned tasks identified by department mentor.
• Attends semi-monthly seminar series.
• Completes and presents summer project presentation.
• Completes internship evaluations at weeks 5 and 10.
• Follows all company safety policies, standard operating procedure (SOP) regulations, as well as supports the Goal Zero mission statement.
  

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled and pursuing a degree in Poultry Science.
• Familiarity with poultry farming and grow-out operations.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; quick learner who is coachable and adaptable.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced production environment.
• Valid Driver's license.
• Must pass the Mountaire Motor Vehicle Record check.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel with the ability to analyze and interpret production data.

Internship Program Requirements

• Complete assigned project identified by department mentor.
• Attend weekly seminar series across different Mountaire facilities.
• All interns must be available to travel to Delaware during the last week of the program or final presentations (August 2-6, 2027).
• All interns are required to complete a 10-minute presentation on their project at the conclusion of summer. Presentations will take place in Millsboro, DE at the Administrative Building during the week of August 2-6.
  
• All interns must complete a mid-way evaluation (week 5) along with a final evaluation (week 10).
  

About Us

Are you looking for more than just a job? The culture at Mountaire is one of our greatest strengths and most valued assets. We maintain the same core values and family-focused work environment that we’ve operated with since day one. You will find that your peers, supervisor and team members are genuinely committed to, not only your success, but also working together to provide high-quality products to our customers. We are a service to one another and to our customers, demonstrating operational excellence and outstanding performance.

Mountaine Farms

Mountaine Farms is an agricultural food production and processing company providing work for over 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Now the fourth largest chicken company in the United States, we are still family owned and fully committed to giving back to the communities where we do business. At Mountaine Farms, our culture is what defines us. It sets us apart from our competition and reinforces what we stand for. Supporting each other, uplifting each other, and helping each other succeed – that’s the Mountaine way! Our vision is to provide growth, stability, and opportunities for our people, our customers, and our communities by profitably delivering wholesome quality chicken.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Mountaine Farms is an agricultural food production and processing company providing work for over 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Now the fourth largest chicken company in the United States, we are still family owned and fully committed to giving back to the communities where we do business. At Mountaine Farms, our culture is what defines us. It sets us apart from our competition and reinforces what we stand for. Supporting each other, uplifting each other, and helping each other succeed – that’s the Mountaine way! Our vision is to provide growth, stability, and opportunities for our people, our customers, and our communities by profitably delivering wholesome quality chicken.

Total Compensation

Mountaire also offers an amazing total compensation package! A few examples of our benefits that may be offered to you are:

• eight paid holidays
• Medical Plans with free onsite Health and Wellness Centers
• Dental and Vision Programs
• Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
• Retirement Planning with 401(k)
• Profit Sharing
• Employee Discounted Chicken Sales
• Employee Discounts with partners (Car Purchase, Phone Plans, & Shopping)
• Tuition Reimbursement and many exciting career development programs!