Animal Care Technician - Rockham, SD
Position Overview
We're looking for a dedicated Animal Care Technician to join our team, supporting both the Farrowing and Breeding departments. This hands-on role is essential to the daily care of our animals and overall barn operations, ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of our swine herd. The ideal candidate is reliable, hardworking, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, physical environment. A passion for animal welfare, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to biosecurity and safety are key. If you're seeking a meaningful, long-term career in livestock production with an industry leader, this is a great place to start. Join our team!
What You Will Do
- Provide feed and water to the animals daily to maintain consistent health and nutrition
- Heat checking/Breed sows in heat per daily schedule, and perform gilt heat induction following established protocols
- Process piglets by castrating, tail docking, and administering iron/antibiotics
- Absorb responsibility for farrowing with litter care, and ensure piglet warmth
- Maintain sanitation through cleaning, disinfecting, and pit draining; handle animal movements, assist with weaning, and keep accurate records while adhering to biosecurity and safety protocols
What You Offer Us
- Consistent reliability and strong work ethic, with a commitment to showing up prepared and performing daily tasks with precision
- Physical readiness and resilience to handle the demands of barn work while maintaining high standards of animal care
- Ability to follow established protocols and SOPs with attention to detail across all areas, including feeding, breeding, and sanitation
- Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within the livestock industry through hands-on experience and structured training
- Strong teamwork and communication skills, contributing to a positive, efficient, and safety-focused work environment
- Dedication to upholding biosecurity measures, animal welfare standards, and company policies in all aspects of daily work
Pay and Benefits
- Christensen Farms is offering a Sign-On & Retention Bonus of $2,500 for all eligible newly-hired Animal Care Technicians.
- This Animal Care Technician position starts at $20/hr. We also offer a great benefits package including health, dental, vision, a flexible spending account (FSA), life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, a paid time off bank, and an employee assistance program (EAP).
Work Schedule
Although hours may vary, the typical work schedule for an Animal Care Technician position is Monday through Friday, 6:00 am - 3:30 pm with a rotating weekend. When you work the weekend, you will have a scheduled day off during the week. This full-time job averages 40-43 hours a week.
Reports To
Sow Farm Manager