Herdsperson - Farm 55761

Smithfield Foods•Maxton, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Herdsperson assists Herd Technicians with routine animal care and general farm tasks to support animal welfare, including farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. The role provides care for animals at the designated work site, particularly their health, growth, and breeding. The employee may operate farm equipment as directed and may be in training for an advanced Herd Technician designation. Compensation is $16.75 per hour.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Previous livestock handling is helpful.
Ability to perform hard physical labor.
Strong commitment to teamwork.
Willingness to shower daily when entering and leaving the facility.
Ability to follow instructions and handle standardized situations.
Ability to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
Weekend, evening, and holiday work as needed.
Availability for emergency on-call situations, including power outages or personnel shortages.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Respectful, approachable, team-oriented approach and ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Ability to perform the essential duties, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Ability to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics, including penicillin.
Ability to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.
Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; frequently stand, walk, handle or feel with hands, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear.

Nice To Haves

Previous livestock handling experience.
High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

Feed, water, vaccinate, and perform general animal husbandry tasks, including basic veterinary procedures.
Adapt plans as directed by farm leadership.
Assist with moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
Sanitize and wash farm areas using high-pressure equipment.
Process piglets, including injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
Maintain accurate production information and update department records.
Treat sick animals with pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, or other required methods.
Follow Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, and appropriate training guides.
Assist with facility and equipment maintenance.
Help maintain barn and office cleanliness and perform laundry duties.
Follow company animal-welfare policies and procedures, including meeting animals' environmental needs, providing adequate water and high-quality feed, treating animals humanely, identifying and appropriately treating animals needing health care, and following euthanasia guidelines.
Comply with environmental, safety, and biosecurity laws and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Operate mowers, tractors, trucks, buses, and other farm equipment as directed.