Animal Handling Specialist

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As an Animal Handling Specialist, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare at the plant level. This dynamic position offers the opportunity to lead training initiatives for all livestock handlers, oversee daily animal care, and manage comprehensive animal welfare audits. You'll serve as a crucial link between the plant and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with government livestock handling standards and addressing any noncompliance reports. Additionally, you’ll represent the plant during audits and tours, championing animal welfare practices and maintaining accurate, up-to-date records. If you're passionate about animal welfare and ready to make a meaningful impact, this role offers both purpose and professional growth.

What You’ll Do

• Monitors trucks for proper transportation equipment, unloading practices, timeliness of arrival, and animal wait times.
• Maintains proper handling procedures throughout the facility, including during extreme weather conditions.
• Serves as plant lead on all audit and tour groups involving animal welfare.
• Prepares documentation needed during animal welfare audits and presents it to the auditor.
• Conducts daily plant and transportation audits, and reviews audit results with Smithfield’s management.
• Trains all current and new hires who handle livestock on Smithfield’s livestock handling, euthanization, and humane handling policies.
• Attends company and industry events and training sessions to enhance knowledge, grow professional relationships, and represent the company on animal welfare topics.
• Maintains positive relationships with government officials, addresses issues or concerns, and drafts responses to noncompliance reports.
• Trains Smithfield employees, producers, and transporters on the National Pork Board’s Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program, as needed.
• Maintains and schedules facility maintenance as needed.
• Assists with daily tasks involved in receiving animals and maintaining operational efficiency and accuracy.

What We’re Seeking

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Prior Animal Handling Instruction, preferred.
• PAACO certified auditor, preferred.
• Traucker Quality Assurance (TQA) Instructor Certification, preferred.
• Working knowledge of livestock handling tools.
• Working knowledge and experience with captive bolt gun.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with management, producers, USDA and others as needed.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize daily work assignments and manage time wisely.
• 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.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequently required to move and/or lift 50 pounds and occasionally required to move and/or lift more than 100 pounds.
• Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• IndSPR-Ops Relocation Package Available
• No EEO Information