Barn Technician

This position is required to adhere at all times to Animal Welfare and Bio-Security protocols, guidelines, and procedures.

Essential Responsibilities:

* Must take active role in safety program including following safety procedures, enforcement of policy and continued training.
* Must take active role in bio-security program including enforcement of policy and continued training.
* Must recognize and report any broken or faulty equipment to their supervisor.
* Meet company expectations for attendance at work and punctuality.
* Follow all rules and procedures from both the employee handbook and direct rules and procedures from supervisor.
* Attend all mandatory meetings and training and be willing to participate and take an active role in system improvement teams.
* Maintain a good working relationship with all co-workers.
* Must be receptive to constructive criticism by co-workers and supervisors.
* Perform all required duties in a timely manner as outlined in the S.O.P (Standard Operating Procedure).
* Understand and demonstrate farm Bio-Security Requirements
* Achieve PQA+ (Pork Quality Assurance Training).
* Understand and demonstrate correct handling techniques at all times for animals of all ages.
* Understand and demonstrate safe and efficient power washing techniques (under indirect supervision).
* Understand and demonstrate the need for correct methods of medication handling and storage.
* Understand and demonstrate correct methods of euthanasia of animals.
* Understand and demonstrate correct methods of dead animal disposal (incinerator, composting and other forms).
* Understand and demonstrate correct methods of treating and vaccinating animals of all ages.
* Understand and demonstrate all aspects of processing of piglets including castration.
* Understand and demonstrate general housekeeping and sanitation skills (example; laundry, showers, medication rooms).
* Understand and demonstrate under direct supervision artificial insemination protocols and procedures.
* Understand and demonstrate under direct supervision semen handling, and heat detection and breeding of weaned sows, gilts and opportunity animals.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of feeding in breeding, gestation, and lactation.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of sow monitoring in farrowing.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of day 0-3 pig care.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of sorting and fostering.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of manure feedback.
* Understand and demonstrate proper techniques of prostaglandin use.
* Ensures that all Bio-security procedures outlined by TriOak Foods are followed.
* Ensure that all animal welfare procedures outlined by TriOak Foods are followed.
* All other duties as may be assigned.

Success Factors:

* Willingness to listen and learn.
* Ability to be a team player.
* Able to work in a physically demanding environment.
* Able to work weekends and holidays as required.
* Display honesty, trustworthiness and dependability at all times.
* Show pride in work well done.
* Be respectfully of others.
* Maintain strong work ethic.
* Show initiative to seek other work upon completion of a task.

Job Qualifications:

* Be able to lift in excess of 50lbs moving up to 100 yards daily, be able to lift 15 lbs. repeatedly on a daily basis from side to side for at least 1 hour. Push and/or pull a minimum of 500 lbs. in a cart with wheels when required. Squat to floor, grip small objects with ease and twist at least 45 degrees.
* Be capable of repeated actions.
* Be responsive to visible signs of animal discomfort.
* Be responsive to verbal alarms and sounds of animals.
* Be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing with other employees and company contacts.
* Be able to move, load and unload animals 600 plus pounds.
* Be able to walk and stand for long periods of time on different surfaces including concrete.
* Be able to climb in and out of crates and over obstacles.
* Be able climb different types of ladders including feed bin ladders.
* Be able to maintain balance on all surfaces.
* Be able to retain and perform written and spoken instructions.
* Must not own or live near any swine. Must not live with anyone who has contact with swine.

Physical Requirements:

* During summer months outside temperatures can be over 100 degrees for entire scheduled workday.
* During winter months outside temperatures can be below zero for entire scheduled workday.
* During and after heavy rains or snowfalls the road in and around the farms can become extremely muddy, snow covered, icy and difficult to maneuver on.
* During different job duties the noise inside or outside barns can become very loud.
* Will be exposed daily to odors, dusts and gases that may be uncomfortable or hazardous if proper procedures are not followed.
* Will be exposed to electrical boxes and electrical machinery that are not to be entered or repaired by those who are not certified in basic electrical training and/or lock out tag out by the Safety Coordinator.
* Will be exposed daily to procedures that cause contact with hazardous materials.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:

* Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
* Paid Time Off: vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
* 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
* Better Futures Program - Online Classes or select 2 Year Community College tuition paid for you or your dependents
* Supervisor Development Program: Opportunity to grow your career through leadership training.

EOE/Vet/Disability