Herdsperson - Farm 85073

Smithfield Foods•Wakefield, VA

23h

About The Position

The Herdsperson assists Herd Technicians with routine animal care and general farm tasks to support animal welfare. Duties include farm sanitation, animal removal and movement, and care for animals’ health, growth, and breeding at the designated work site. The employee may operate farm equipment as directed and may train for an advanced Herd Technician designation. The role includes feeding, watering, vaccinating, and treating animals; performing basic veterinary and husbandry procedures; maintaining records; supporting facility and equipment maintenance; and keeping farm areas clean. The Herdsperson must follow animal welfare, environmental, safety, and biosecurity policies and procedures. The position requires an average 48-hour work week that can vary, with weekend, evening, and holiday work as needed, as well as on-call availability for emergencies.

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 may vary frequently.
Weekend, evening, and holiday work as needed.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Ability to work with and around a range of antibiotics, including penicillin.
Ability to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Frequently stand, walk, handle or feel objects, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear.
Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Previous livestock handling experience.

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 Operating 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 providing appropriate environments, adequate water and feed, humane treatment, identification and treatment of animals needing health care, and euthanasia guidelines.
Comply with environmental, safety, and biosecurity laws and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Be available for on-call emergency situations, including power outages or personnel shortages.