Cobb - Hatchery Processing

Tyson Foods, Inc.•Lafayette, TN

About The Position

This position processes chicks and maintains a clean work area. Duties include transferring chicks from boxes to a grading wheel, grading newly hatched chicks for defects, operating a robot to vaccinate and beak-treat birds according to customer orders, and performing toe trims or marking male birds when required. Additional duties may be assigned at any time, with or without notice, based on production needs. The position is based in a biosecure facility. Employees must shower and change clothing and footwear before entering; the company provides appropriate clothing and footwear. Jewelry is prohibited except for medical ID jewelry and covered body piercings. Candidates must be willing to sign an agreement to avoid avian species and to sign and follow the company’s Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Guidelines. The schedule is first shift. The current schedule is Monday through Thursday, changing effective January 3, 2027, to Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Shifts usually begin between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. and continue until the work is complete. The position averages 35–40 hours per week and includes working holidays. The schedule may change based on production needs. Applicants must have had no disciplinary actions within the last six months; the posting’s additional point-level condition is incomplete. The role requires working on wet and slippery surfaces and in hot, dry, dusty, wet, and cold environments. Employees are regularly required to stand for most of the shift on a concrete floor, walk, sit, handle objects and controls, reach, balance, stoop, and communicate. They must regularly lift and stack chick boxes weighing up to 15 pounds and occasionally push or pull stacks of boxes weighing up to 125 pounds, using safe lifting techniques. The role also requires specified vision abilities. Safety glasses, goggles, chemical gloves, a waterproof apron, rubber boots, ear plugs, and NIOSH-approved N95 particulate respirators are used as needed. Commonly used chemicals include day-one vaccines, dyes, and dish soap. Employees are expected to follow applicable safety policies and procedures, including Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, LOTO, and Personal Protective Equipment requirements, and to identify, address, and mitigate safety risks.

Requirements

Applicants must have no disciplinary actions within the last six months; the posting’s additional point-level condition is incomplete.
Must be willing to sign an agreement to avoid avian species and to sign and abide by company Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Guidelines.
Must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must regularly lift and stack chick boxes weighing up to 15 pounds and occasionally push or pull stacks of boxes weighing up to 125 pounds.
Must be able to work on wet, slippery surfaces and in hot, dry, dusty, wet, and cold environments.
Must have the specified close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision and ability to adjust focus.
Must follow applicable safety policies and procedures, including Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, LOTO, and Personal Protective Equipment.

Responsibilities

Transfer chicks from boxes to a grading wheel.
Grade newly hatched chicks for defects.
Operate a robot to vaccinate and beak-treat birds according to customer orders.
Perform toe trims for identification when required.
Dub or mark male birds according to customer orders.
Process byproduct chicks and euthanize weak or ill birds in accordance with company policy.
Despur male birds according to customer orders.
Fill in when the lead is absent or on vacation.
Mix day-one vaccine; clean the day-one lab; check nitrogen levels and refrigerator temperatures; make gel; and maintain vaccine inventory.
Occasionally operate high-pressure and regular water hoses.
Maintain a clean and organized work area and wash robot parts.
Follow applicable safety procedures and identify, address, and mitigate safety risks.
Follow company biosecurity and animal welfare guidelines.