Incubation/Egg Room Associate

Aviagen•Blairsville, GA

About The Position

The Incubation/Egg Room Associate is responsible for the safe handling, movement, storage, and preparation of eggs throughout the hatchery process. The role supports daily hatchery operations by handling eggs carefully, meeting production schedules, and maintaining equipment and work areas in accordance with company standards for biosecurity, sanitation, animal welfare, and safety. The associate works with hatchery leadership and team members to maintain egg quality, support hatch performance, and contribute to poultry production operations. The position is performed in a poultry hatchery. Employees may regularly encounter fertile eggs and hatchery operations, agricultural dust, feathers, hatchery-related odors, cleaning chemicals and sanitation products, wet or humid work areas, temperature-controlled areas with varying heat and humidity, and equipment noise. Strict biosecurity procedures apply. Schedules may include weekends, holidays, overtime, and rotating callback assignments. Aviagen offers eligible employees a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc, short-term disability, and long-term disability benefits, subject to plan terms. Additional benefits include company-paid holidays, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match where eligible, career development and training opportunities, and company-provided PPE. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at hire and throughout employment.

Requirements

Knowledge of egg handling procedures and proper care of fertile eggs.
Basic mechanical aptitude, including the ability to identify equipment issues and perform minor maintenance tasks.
Ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and attention to detail.
Basic math skills, including simple calculations and accurate recordkeeping.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.
Dependable attendance and a strong work ethic.
Good verbal communication and teamwork skills.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to recognize equipment concerns and communicate maintenance needs.
Ability to adapt to changing production priorities while maintaining quality standards.
Willingness to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback schedules as operational needs require.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; frequently bend, stoop, squat, reach, and twist; and lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements and safely operate hand tools and basic maintenance equipment.
Ability to work safely around moving equipment and hatchery machinery and wear required PPE, including gloves, hearing and eye protection, coveralls, hairnets, and safety footwear.
Legal authorization to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous egg handling or hatchery experience.

Responsibilities

Tray fertile eggs and load incubator racks according to production schedules.
Transfer eggs from incubators to hatchers according to company Standard Operating Procedures.
Load and unload eggs from delivery vehicles using proper handling techniques to maintain egg quality.
Inspect eggs during handling and report quality concerns or irregularities to hatchery leadership.
Accurately enter egg set and production information into the hatchery management system.
Monitor incubators, hatchers, and related equipment, and promptly report equipment issues.
Clean and disinfect egg rooms, work areas, equipment, trays, racks, boxes, and other hatchery materials according to sanitation and biosecurity procedures.
Assist with preventative maintenance and basic repairs of hatchery buildings and equipment as assigned.
Respond to after-hours maintenance needs during scheduled callback rotations.
Assist with production and maintenance duties during vacations, absences, or periods of increased workload.
Maintain accurate production records and complete required documentation.
Follow company animal welfare standards, biosecurity policies, EHS procedures, and SOPs.
Wear required PPE and maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
When a supervisor or lead employee is absent, assist in coordinating daily work assignments to complete production schedules.
Perform other assigned duties and special projects.