Livestock Handler

Hourly Rate: $16.00

Smithfield Foods is seeking a motivated individual to join our team as a Herdsperson. This role is responsible for assisting other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals.

• Feed, water, and vaccinate animals, as well as perform general animal husbandry tasks.
• Maintain flexibility and adapt to changing plans as directed by farm leadership.
• Assist in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitize and wash multiple areas on the farm using high-pressure equipment.
• Collect boars, process collection in the on-site laboratory, and distribute semen doses to sow farms.
• Maintain accurate production information and update department records as required.
• Treat sick animals with various pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, or other methods as needed.
• Follow Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assist with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assist with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Comply with all environmental, safety, and biosecurity laws and procedures.

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling experience helpful.
• Ability to perform hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of the facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergency situations, including power outages or personnel shortages.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics.
• Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.