Herdsperson Trainee/Laborer

About the role

The Herdsperson position at Smithfield involves assisting other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare of the animals. Opportunities are available across various locations and functions, fostering a culture grounded in Core Four values: gratitude, communication, respect, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Aids in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
• Processes piglets, which includes: injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
• Maintains accurate production information and updates all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Fulfills the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Aids with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Aids with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Complies with 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.
• Follows all environmental, safety, and biosecurity laws and procedures.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED is preferred.
• Previous livestock handling experience is helpful.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of the facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Use hands to handle or feel.
• Adjust focus as needed.
• Work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).
• Tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

Work Environment

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).
• Tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.