Herdsperson Trainee/Laborer

Smithfield Foods

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Herdsperson assists other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare/well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. The employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, bus, and other farm equipment as directed. This role may involve training for an advanced Herd Technician designation. The Herdsperson position also provides for the care of all animals at the designated work site, focusing on their health, growth, and breeding.

Requirements

• Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Nice To Haves

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
• Processes piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
• Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Follows the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follows the Company’s animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal’s needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Be Well programs offering tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• Support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• LinkedIn Learning access for on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training.
• GUILD partnership supporting continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs.
• Leadership development initiatives to nurture high-potential talent.
• Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Education Reimbursement Program providing financial reimbursement for GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or academic degrees at accredited colleges or universities not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

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