Sparta, TN - Farm Associate 1

Aviagen•Crossville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Farm Associate I supports the success of farm operations within Aviagen’s poultry farms, with primary responsibility for the care and welfare of birds. The role involves collecting, grading, transferring, recording, and washing eggs; maintaining sanitary conditions in egg-handling areas; monitoring poultry house conditions and flock health; and ensuring birds have access to feed and water. Duties may also involve cleaning and rebuilding pens, collecting birds for moving or weighing, and working with day-old chicks and eggs in the hatchery facility. The position requires following animal care and welfare standards, biosecurity procedures, and safe work practices. Work may involve chemicals, live poultry, temperature extremes, dust, damp or wet conditions, odors, and loud noise. Employees may work up to six days per week, including weekends and holidays, and must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks and meet the stated physical requirements.

Requirements

Ability to understand oral and written instructions and perform simple tasks.
Basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.
Ability to perform repetitive work.
Ability to stand for long periods, including eight hours or more, and maintain a flexible work schedule.
Ability to grip, grasp, or twist using hands and wrists.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds or more.
Ability to bend and stoop repetitively throughout the shift.
Ability to work in extreme hot or cold temperatures, dry, dusty, damp, or wet environments, and environments with substantial dust circulation, farm odors, and loud noise.
Ability to work with and routinely handle live poultry.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the specified job location at hire and maintain authorization throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Animal husbandry experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Gather eggs in a way that prevents excessive breakage.
Grade eggs by category, size, and condition; transfer egg flats from the barn to the egg cooler room; record egg counts; and assist with egg washing and sanitation of the egg wash and cooler rooms.
Maintain and record eggs and gather other data as instructed.
Monitor and troubleshoot poultry house conditions, including feed lines, drinkers, fans, and barn appearance.
Monitor and document flock health and mortality.
Clean out houses and rebuild bird pens as needed.
Transfer feed weighing up to 50 pounds, maintain feed in feeders according to trial requirements, and ensure birds can access feed.
Collect birds for moving or weighing.
Perform hatchery duties involving day-old chicks, including setting, collecting, or transferring eggs and disinfecting the facility as needed.
Work with detergents, disinfectants, and other chemicals as required.
Perform essential duties safely and efficiently as trained.
Follow animal care standards, animal welfare guidelines, and biosecurity policies and procedures.