Hatchery Laborer

Pilgrim's • Russellville, AL

23h • Onsite

About The Position

At Pilgrim’s, safety is a condition, and the safety of team members comes first. The Hatchery Laborer joins the hatchery team in Russellville, Alabama, to help ensure the healthy start of the poultry flock. This hands-on role involves handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching, and completing quality checks while maintaining high animal-care and biosecurity standards. The laborer operates specialized equipment, keeps work areas clean, and follows safety and sanitation protocols in a fast-paced environment where precision and teamwork are essential.

The schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or until production is complete. The base hourly salary rate is $14.60, with piece rate also noted. Vision, medical, and dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment. The 401(k) company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule. Pilgrim’s also offers continuous learning and career-development opportunities through various learning and development programs.

New team members undergo drug, alcohol, and background checks after receiving an offer and before starting work. Employment eligibility must be documented by the end of the third day of work. Candidates must not raise poultry or birds.

Requirements

• 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 part of a team.
• Ability to work in high-temperature environments of 100°F or higher, tolerate odors, and perform continuous physical activity.
• Ability to perform repetitive lifting and pushing of 100 pounds or more.
• Ability to push or pull 450-pound wheeled buggies of chicks and eggs.
• Must not raise poultry or birds.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED.
• Poultry or food industry experience.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation conditions, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation, to support optimal hatching results.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, ensuring proper care and handling.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas according to 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

• Vision, medical, and dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.
• 401(k) company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
• Continuous learning and career-development opportunities through various learning and development programs.

What This Job Offers

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