Production Health Technician

Christensen Farms is one of the largest, family-owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3.6 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, the company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns four feed mills, manages 145,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow-finish sites. The company employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships.

The company is vertically integrated with a strong presence across the pork value chain - from farm to fork. Christensen Farms is the largest shareholder of Triumph Foods LLC, a producer-owned primary pork processing plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. In turn, Triumph Foods members own 50 percent of Daily's Premium Meats, a specialty pork processor of bacon and other premium pork products. Triumph Foods also holds a 50 percent partnership in Seaboard Triumph Foods, LLC of Sioux City, Iowa, a primary pork processing plant.

Position Overview & Responsibilities

This position will be responsible for working under the direction of company veterinarians with day-to-day supervision of a service manager. The setting is production and non-production based to ensure animal health objectives are being accomplished.

Major Areas of Accountability

Support veterinarians as needed to:

• Collect, submit, and help deliver live viral vaccines.
• Collect and submit tissues from disease outbreaks.
• Support organization and collection of flow-based diagnostics (blood, tissue, laryngeal, rope, swabs) used in flow monitoring.
• Schedule, conduct, and report biosecurity assessments.
• Observe and communicate findings on sanitation, biosecurity, and health administration protocols to appropriate leaders.
• Assist with filtration testing and audits.
• Work closely with Production Health Administrator to summarize and simplify diagnostic results.
• Conduct inspections of manure, construction, site care or other equipment as required
• Have a clear understanding of sanitation and biosecurity.

Time will be spent in all phases of the production system, collecting samples, and working with animals. Physical agility is needed. Some overnight travel will be required. Possible 1 night per week.

Specialized or Motorized Equipment and/or Tools:

This position will require operating a company vehicle. Any employment offer for this position is contingent upon the review of your motor vehicle record (MVR).

Education, Training and Experience Requirements:

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent desired. TQA, PQA Plus certification is not needed upon hire but is required to perform job.
• Previous livestock handling required. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
• This position requires the ability to drive a trailer.
• Excellent written & oral communication skills and the ability to work well with others and independently is required.