Hatchery - Labor

JBS Foods • Broadway, VA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Hatchery Labor team member works in Pilgrim’s Broadway, Virginia hatchery to support the healthy start of its poultry flock. This hands-on, fast-paced role involves handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching and transfer, performing quality checks, and helping prepare chicks for transport. Team members operate specialized equipment, maintain clean work areas, and follow safety, sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare protocols. Precision, teamwork, reliability, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn are important.

The schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until production is complete, for 32 or more hours per week. The base hourly rate is $18.05–$21.60, depending on the position offered. A perfect-attendance incentive adds $2.00 per hour for perfect attendance. Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins after 60 days. Paid leave includes sick leave, vacation, company-observed holidays, and other statutorily required paid leave, if applicable. The company match for the 401(k) begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule. Pilgrim’s also offers learning and development programs and career-growth opportunities.

The company conducts drug, alcohol, and background checks for new team members after an offer and before employment starts. Employment eligibility must be verified by the end of the employee’s third day of work. Team members must not raise poultry or birds.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work quickly.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to understand simple instructions and apply common sense.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to work in environments exceeding 100°F, tolerate odors, and sustain continuous physical activity.
• Ability to repeatedly lift or push 100 pounds or more.
• Ability to push and pull 450-pound wheeled buggies containing chicks and eggs.
• Must not raise poultry or birds.

Nice To Haves

• Poultry or food industry experience.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation temperature, humidity, and ventilation to support optimal hatching results.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, using proper care and handling.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas in accordance with safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Follow biosecurity and animal welfare protocols to protect flock health and product integrity.
• Record and maintain accurate data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting.
• Assist with chick vaccination and preparation for transport, ensuring proper handling and care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage begins after 60 days of employment.
• Dental coverage begins after 60 days of employment.
• Vision coverage begins after 60 days of employment.
• Paid sick leave, vacation, company-observed holidays, and other statutorily required paid leave, if applicable.
• 401(k) company match begins after the first year of service, subject to the company vesting schedule.
• Perfect-attendance incentive of $2.00 extra per hour.
• Continuous learning and career-growth opportunities through learning and development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED