Hatchery Associate I

Aviagen • Longview, TX

10h

About The Position

The Hatchery Associate supports daily poultry hatchery operations and helps maintain a clean, safe, and efficient production environment while upholding animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and quality standards. The work includes egg transfer, hatch preparation, chick handling, sanitation, equipment cleaning, and facility maintenance. The role requires dependability, safety awareness, and the ability to work in a fast-paced agricultural production environment.

The associate handles day-old chicks humanely and follows company procedures and applicable industry guidelines. The role also involves maintaining production records, monitoring work areas, supporting inventory needs, and collaborating with coworkers to meet production schedules. Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States at hire and maintain that authorization throughout employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Previous agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience 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.
• Reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, based on business needs.
• Commitment to animal welfare and humane handling practices.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment, prioritize tasks, and meet production deadlines.
• Basic understanding of workplace safety practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Willingness to learn company procedures and participate in ongoing training.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; frequently bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach.
• Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, including gripping, grasping, and twisting.
• Ability to work with approved cleaning chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants while using required PPE.
• Ability to work in wet, damp, dusty, noisy environments with agricultural odors, and in varying warm and cool temperatures.
• Ability to routinely work up to six days per week, including weekends and holidays, as production demands require.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at hire and maintain authorization throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain hatchery cleanliness and sanitation in accordance with company sanitation, biosecurity, and food safety standards.
• Clean and sanitize hatchery equipment and production areas, including setters, hatchers, conveyors, work tables, trays, floors, walls, and ceilings.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers according to 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 applicable industry guidelines.
• Assemble chick boxes and prepare shipping materials for customer deliveries.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while maintaining chick quality standards.
• Monitor work areas for cleanliness, equipment functionality, and potential safety hazards, and promptly report concerns to supervision.
• Follow company policies regarding biosecurity, PPE, environmental health and safety, and quality assurance.
• Maintain accurate production records and complete required documentation.
• Support inventory management by maintaining adequate production supplies and notifying supervisors of shortages.
• Participate in preventive cleaning and maintenance activities.
• Maintain organized production areas and remove debris through facility housekeeping.
• Work with team members to meet daily production schedules and operational goals.
• Perform other assigned duties and special projects.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability benefits, subject to applicable plan terms.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed