Poultry Selection Assistant

Aviagen•Lewisburg, WV

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Aviagen Turkeys Inc. is looking for a Poultry Selection Assistant to support the Genomics team during turkey selection and data collection. This role involves gathering, moving, catching, holding, and presenting turkeys for evaluation, recording bird identification and measurements, and maintaining an orderly selection workflow. The position requires humane bird handling, attention to detail, teamwork, and strict adherence to biosecurity, animal-welfare, safety, and data-integrity requirements.

Requirements

Ability to handle live poultry calmly, confidently, and humanely in a fast-moving team environment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate bird identification, counts, measurements, and records.
Basic math skills and ability to read scales, measurements, labels, and identification numbers accurately.
Ability to learn and consistently follow detailed written, verbal, and demonstrated procedures.
Ability to use or learn handheld scanners, scales, tablets, computers, and other data-collection equipment.
Dependability, punctuality, and willingness to complete repetitive work without sacrificing accuracy or animal care.
Ability to work cooperatively, accept direction, communicate concerns promptly, and adjust to changing flock and selection needs.
Ability to protect confidential information and follow established data-integrity practices.
Regularly stand and walk for extended periods on concrete, litter, uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
Frequently bend, stoop, squat, kneel, reach, grasp, and use repetitive hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, and back movements.
Safely lift, carry, hold, and restrain live turkeys and job-related equipment within weight limits.
Maintain balance, coordination, grip strength, and mobility needed to work safely around moving birds, gates, pens, carts, crates, and equipment.
Wear required personal protective equipment and complete required biosecurity entry and exit procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with poultry, livestock, agricultural production, animal handling, production data, or farm service crews.
Prior experience entering data or using basic electronic devices.

Responsibilities

Prepare pens, staging areas, lanes, equipment, and supplies before selection or measurement activities.
Locate and gather the correct turkeys by assigned identifier and move them calmly and safely to the selection area.
Catch, hold, position, and present birds consistently for evaluation or measurement.
Maintain each bird's identity and group assignment throughout the process, preventing mix-ups.
Move birds to the correct designated pen or category according to selector instructions and assist with counts or reconciliation.
Observe birds during handling and report signs of injury, illness, excessive stress, missing identification, or other concerns.
Read and confirm individual bird identification before recording information.
Collect assigned measurements and observations, including body weight and other approved selection or phenotype data.
Enter or record information accurately and completely in the required paper or electronic system.
Review entries for completeness and obvious errors; repeat questionable measurements or notify the appropriate team member of discrepancies.
Assist with approved sampling or related genomics activities when trained and assigned.
Protect confidential and proprietary breeding, selection, and genomics information.
Follow all company, farm, and flock-specific biosecurity procedures.
Handle turkeys humanely and in accordance with company animal-welfare standards.
Clean and disinfect selection areas, equipment, crates, carts, and tools.
Follow safe-work practices for animal handling, lifting, repetitive movement, equipment, chemicals, and walking surfaces.
Report injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, equipment problems, bird-welfare concerns, and possible biosecurity breaches immediately.
Comply with company restrictions regarding contact with or ownership of poultry, other birds, and swine.
Follow daily work assignments and technical direction from authorized team members.
Communicate clearly with coworkers to maintain safe bird movement, accurate identification, and efficient workflow.
Maintain a clean, organized work area and properly store, charge, or return equipment and supplies.
Participate in required training and demonstrate continued proficiency.
Provide service-crew or other farm support related to selection activities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.