Pig Care Technician-Boar Stud (60312)

SANDY PINE SYSTEMS INC•Ainsworth, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pig Care Technician is responsible for the day-to-day care for animals housed in the boar stud within our Gene Transfer Center (GTC), including health of animals in accordance with safety standards and humane practices. This position is located in Ainsworth, Nebraska.

Requirements

Ability to work in conditions with varying temperatures, loud noise, odiferous and dust.
Ability to work around large animals, which can cause injury if handled improperly.
Ability to stand and walk on concrete floors for up to 9+ hours per day, with the ability to assist in moving deceased animals that might weigh upwards of 500 pounds.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work with moving mechanical parts and vibration while wearing required personal protective equipment and adhering to all safety standards.
Demonstrate ability and desire to work closely with animals, providing humane care and treatment.
Ability to communicate effectively and provide resolution and follow-up to meet needs of facility.
Strong communication skills, ability to work independent and collaboratively, and ability to apply independent thinking and judgement.
Ability to perform general and routine maintenance and repair on buildings, equipment, and grounds.
Ability to operate computer and lab equipment, farm tractors, pickup and trailer, power generator and other maintenance equipment.
Ability to perform the required functions of the job, including physical demands like pushing heavy feed carts up to 600 feet, handle (move by pushing or herding) adult pigs weighing over 500 pounds, kneel and bend at the waist for long periods of time, climb over 4-foot pens, climb feed bins maintaining 3 points of contact for safety purposes at all times, operate high power washing equipment utilizing proper safety goggles, safety trigger release mechanisms, and waterproof protective clothing and footwear.
Willingness to take on additional duties as assigned by management.

Nice To Haves

1+ years of swine production experience preferred.
1+ years of livestock experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitoring the health of boars and note any behavioral changes, temperature changes, give vaccinations and other injections as needed, treat minor injuries or illnesses as they occur, care for animals in isolation, collect boar semen, and maintain comprehensive health and production records.
Adhering to all biosecurity standards and herd health policies, which includes mandatory showering and changing into farm clothes prior to entering the farm, having no contact with other swine, and adhering to down-time requirements as established by PIC (Pig Improvement Company).
Monitoring feed, water, timers, and ventilation systems to assure they are working properly and maintaining proper environments for livestock.
Performing routine health checks on animals, including administering medications, vaccinations, spraying wounds, tattooing, collecting blood samples and other related needs.
Power washing and disinfecting empty crates, rooms and collection areas for sanitation and bacteria prevention.
Properly completing euthanasia and disposing of deceased animals.
Monitoring building for air leaks, repairing crates, maintaining filters, performing general/routine maintenance and repair on buildings, equipment and grounds and baiting for rodents.
Performing other duties as determined by manager in the care and support of animals.
Operating Farm Equipment (if applicable to position as determined by management): Being properly trained and certified to operate equipment and vehicles (rented or owned) according to the operator's manual and OSHA standards if applicable.
Checking and maintaining all fluid levels according to the operator's manual, prior to starting (vehicles, trucks, tractors, skid steers, UTV side-by-side, etc.).
Using only the recommended types of fluids listed in the operator’s manual.
Greasing tractors, loaders, skid steers, manure spreader, construction equipment, pay loaders, disk, etc. according to the operator’s manual prior to operation.
Allowing trucks, tractors, skid steers, pay loaders, construction equipment, or any machinery with an engine and fluid levels to warm up all fluid levels including hydraulic oil prior to operation.
Understanding that warranty work can be denied if non-recommended fluids are utilized, or not maintained to the proper level, and not greased.