Animal Handling Specialist

Smithfield Foods•Sioux Falls, SD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Handling Specialist plays 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. The specialist serves as a crucial link between the plant and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with government livestock handling standards and addressing any noncompliance reports. Additionally, the specialist represents the plant during audits and tours, championing animal welfare practices and maintaining accurate, up-to-date records. This role offers both purpose and professional growth for individuals passionate about animal welfare.

Requirements

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.
Working knowledge of livestock handling tools.
Working knowledge and experience with captive bolt gun.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree; preferred.
Prior Animal Handling Instruction, preferred.
PAACO certified auditor, preferred.
Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) Instructor Certification, preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitors trucks for proper transportation equipment, unloading practices, timeliness of arrival, and animal wait times.
Monitors pigs for signs of sensibility and appropriate rest time, correct use of approved handling tools, proper handling procedures throughout the facility, and handling during extreme weather conditions.
Organizes and leads animal welfare response team committee meetings and actions.
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.
Monitors condition of facilities and assists with scheduling maintenance as needed.
Assists with daily tasks involved in receiving animals and maintaining operational efficiency and accuracy.