Animal Caretaker - GTC (Afton, IA)
About The Position
The Genetic Transfer Center Specialist works as part of a team caring for and administering to A.I. boars to maintain a constant supply of boar semen and ensure optimum supplies are available for sow farms. The position involves animal and facility care, semen collection and laboratory processing, coordinating shipments, maintaining records, and following medication, vaccination, biosecurity, animal wellbeing, and safety protocols. This is a full-time, on-site role performed in person at designated Iowa Select Farms locations, including office, warehouse, and farm sites, based on business needs and company policy. It typically requires at least 40 hours per week, with additional availability potentially required during staffing challenges. Weekend and holiday rotations are required; occasional evening hours and weekend work may also be required. No travel is required.
Requirements
- No experience is required.
- Ability to read and write.
- Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, tools or controls, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, and hearing.
- Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and climb ladders and over gates.
- Ability to continuously repeat movements such as bending, lifting, and hand movements as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, both written and verbal.
Responsibilities
- Feed animals, ensure water is available, observe animals daily, ensure sick animals receive proper treatment, and evaluate and maintain overall animal condition.
- Follow proper steps for timely euthanasia and identify when euthanasia is needed.
- Maintain facilities, including ensuring fans, curtains, heaters, and other equipment work properly; adjusting ventilation; and cleaning, power washing, and disinfecting facilities.
- Provide assigned farms with fresh, high-quality boar semen and maintain adequate quantities to meet demand.
- Communicate with the breeding department and coordinate semen shipments to other farms.
- Complete A.I. laboratory processes, including handling, extending, and packaging semen according to protocols and keeping the lab clean and organized.
- Maintain boars in proper health and breeding condition; collect them on schedule, with no more than 10 days between collections; train new boars to collect off a dummy sow; and trim sheath hairs to support sanitary collections.
- Maintain accurate records using ISF forms and protocols.
- Procure, administer, and dispense medications and vaccinations according to ISF protocols.
- Focus daily on animal welfare and adhere to Iowa Select Farms biosecurity, animal wellbeing, and safety policies; report biosecurity violations or concerns and partner with the Health and Care team promptly if an incident occurs.
- Demonstrate the company values of respect, accountability, good decision-making, and flexibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
