Research Farm Technician

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Your Opportunity

Hourly rate: $17.50

Assists technical support specialist in the implementation of various research protocols. Tasks include, but not limited to handling and weighing pigs of all sizes, sample collection, work directly with production staff, maintenance of research equipment, data entry and maintain data integrity. Support the Mission of Smithfield Hog Production by providing for the care of all animals at any company facility, particularly their health, growth, and breeding.

Core Responsibilities

• Follow the safety requirements of the Smithfield Injury Prevention System (SIPS).
• Learn, understand and implement all policies and procedures that relate to Bio-security.
• Abide by all company policies, procedures and guidelines as directed by supervisor.
• Flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of supervisor
• Work as a team player by accomplishing daily data collection tasks and requirements to accomplish department goals.
• Accurate data entry in Microsoft Excel
• Quality check data integrity in Microsoft Excel
• Assist in moving animals of various sizes.
• Wash and properly store all research equipment after daily use.
• Monitor equipment and supply inventory
• Assist with data recording using either electronic data equipment or handwritten
• Responsible for daily tasks: pen counts, feeding using an automated feed system, maintenance of equipment, data entry, quality checking data, and monitoring pig health.
• Communicate daily with production farm staff on data collection requirements
• Follow the Standard Operating Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assist with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follow 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 laws and procedures.
• Report all environmental issues immediately to their supervisor.
• Read and understand the company’s emergency notification process and how it applies to their specific worksite.
• Responsible for understanding all safety requirements of the job and for performing the job in compliance with the safety requirements.
• All other duties as assigned necessary for the care of in the swine and/or the swine facility. –
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Lockout/Tagout, Affected/Awareness Level

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Agriculture or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Advanced computer skills with experience using Microsoft Excel and Word – Previous livestock experience
• Team leadership skills
• Previous research experience a plus
• Strong commitment to team
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility
• Ability to record and enter data accurately
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour week, which can vary frequently
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• 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.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to frequently climb over, under, and around penning.
• Must be able to walk and stand on concrete for 9 to 12 hours per day, walking down narrow alleys and in and out of narrow penning.
• Must be able to walk an average of 2 – 4 miles per day, occasionally 5+.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs on a limited basis.
• Must be able to occasionally work in situations two feet above the floor in a leaned-over or squatted position.
• Must be supportive of the mission of raising swine for human consumption of high-quality pork products.
• Must be able to work in laboratory setting with equipment: oven, centrifuge, blender, etc. and abide by all laboratory safety policies
• Must be able to tolerate and willing to learn and perform the following tasks: euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, piglet processing, ear tagging for identification, taking blood samples and other procedures normal to animal husbandry.
• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).
• Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

EEO/AA Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

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