Hatchery Associate I

About the role

The Hatchery Associate I supports daily operations of a poultry hatchery, ensuring a clean, safe, and efficient production environment while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hatchery facility in accordance with company sanitation, biosecurity, and food safety standards.
• Clean and sanitize hatchery equipment, including setters, hatchers, conveyors, work tables, trays, floors, walls, ceilings, and other production equipment.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers following established operating procedures and production schedules.
• Prepare newly hatched chicks for processing, sexing, vaccination (where applicable), packaging, and shipment to customer farms.
• Handle day‑old chicks carefully and humanely in accordance with animal welfare standards, company SOPs, and industry guidelines.
• Assemble chick boxes and prepare shipping materials for customer deliveries.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while ensuring chick quality standards are maintained.
• Monitor work areas for cleanliness, equipment functionality, and potential safety hazards, reporting concerns promptly to supervision.
• Follow all company policies regarding biosecurity, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental health and safety, and quality assurance.
• Maintain accurate production records and complete required documentation as assigned.
• Support inventory management by maintaining adequate supplies of production materials and notifying supervisors of shortages.
• Participate in routine preventive cleaning and maintenance activities.
• Assist with facility housekeeping to ensure production areas remain organized and free of debris.
• Work collaboratively with team members to meet daily production schedules and operational goals.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Previous agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform repetitive work while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must possess reliable transportation to and from work.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, based on business needs.

Skills

• Commitment to animal welfare and humane handling practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain quality standards.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet production deadlines.
• Basic understanding of workplace safety practices.
• Effective communication with supervisors and team members.
• Willingness to learn company procedures and participate in ongoing training.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing and walking for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, twisting, and reaching.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, including gripping, grasping, and twisting.
• Work with approved cleaning chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants while using required PPE.
• Work in environments that may be wet, damp, dusty, noisy, and have agricultural odors.
• Regular interaction with live poultry and hatchery materials.
• Work in varying temperature conditions, including both warm and cool environments.
• Routine work up to six days per week, including weekends and holidays, as production demands require.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short‑Term Disability, and Long‑Term Disability benefits (eligible employees).
• Company‑paid holidays.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning at 14 days annually, prorated based on hire date.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match (where eligible).
• Training and career development opportunities.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout their employment with CWT Farms International.