Animal Production Specialist

Job Title:               Animal Production Specialist

 

Department:           Boar Stud, Gilt Development, Breeding, Gestation, Farrowing, Nursery, and Finisher

 

Location:              Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, or Wisconsin

 

Description:         Animal Production Specialists are responsible for all aspects of husbandry as it relates to the care and production of swine

 

Essential Functions – Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

 

General Duties for Sow Farm Production Units:

 

Collection, extension and dissemination of swine semen (Specific to Gene Transfer Centers)

 

Conducting estrus detection of female swine to accurately identify heat cycles.

Artificial insemination of female swine

 

Use of ultra-sound equipment for pregnancy detection

 

Attending to animals during and after birth of offspring, as needed

 

Processes piglets according to the processing plan specific to each farm:

• Injecting or oral dosing piglets with proper medication
• Surgically removes testes
• Surgically removes tails.
• Clips identifying notches or symbols on animals, attaches tags to the ear, and/or tattoos animals

 

General Duties for Nursery and Finisher Production Units:

 

Accepting weaned pigs at the farm, sorting and placing pigs in pens as outlined in HANOR Production Practices

 

Setting up and utilizing gruel machines for feeding disadvantaged weaned pigs

 

Vaccinating animals by utilizing vaccine in drinking water, feed or using syringes and hypodermic needles as dictated by the farm specific protocol

 

Will spend 80%-90% of time doing chores within the facility which include the following:

 

• Daily walk through of pens to check for issues in the facility

 

• Check Waters and feeders for proper settings

 

• Order feed for the farm 2 days prior to delivery

 

• Treat pigs that need to be treated on a daily basis

 

• Record proper information on paperwork daily – i.e. Hi/Low temps, Water meter, Inventory

 

• Responsible for Load in and Load out of the pigs from the facility

 

• Responsible for whole herd vaccinations

 

• Moving animals within the facility

 

General Duties for All Production Units:

 

Moving animals within the facility

 

Ensuring that animals have feed and water

 

Feeding and watering animals, by using the automatic or manual systems available

 

Examining animals to detect illness and injuries, Follow-up with proper treatment or euthanasia as necessary

 

Vaccinating animals by utilizing vaccine in drinking water, feed or using syringes and hypodermic needles as dictated by the farm specific protocol

 

Maintains proper hygiene in facilities

 

Minor repairs to equipment, buildings, crates, and pens

 

As necessary, euthanizing animals using company approved techniques

 

Recording/maintaining production and medication data as required

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Dependent on the level of experience and need, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis

 

Qualifications

Basic knowledge of swine anatomy, swine production methods, people management principles, leadership techniques and resource management

 

Educations and/or Experience

Graduate with a 4-year degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Animal Breeding, Animal Husbandry or other acceptable degree in related field of study

 

Language skills

Basic/Novice written, and oral English abilities preferred.

 

Mathematical skills

Basic/Intermediate math skills required.

 

Reasoning ability

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.  Must also follow instructions.

 

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

None

 

Physical demands

 

Often

Significant

Seldom

Lifting 1-5 pounds

X

Lifting 6-10 pounds

X

Lifting 11-25 pounds

X

Lifting 26-50 pounds

X

Lifting 51-100 pounds

X

Lifting 100 or more pounds

X

Carrying 1-5 pounds

X

Carrying 6-10 pounds

X

Carrying 11-25 pounds

X

Carrying 26-50 pounds

X

Carrying 51-100 pounds

X

Carrying 100 or more pounds

X

Ascending stairs

X

Descending stairs

X

Ascending ladders

X

Descending ladders

X

Sitting

X

Walking

X

Standing

X

Stopping

X

Kneeling

X

Bending

X

Squatting

X

Climbing

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Twisting

X

Reaching above shoulders

X

Reaching below shoulders

X

Exposure to changes in temp.

X

Exposure to changes in Humidity

X

Exposure to dust

X

Exposure to fumes

X

Exposure to odors

X

Far Vision

X

Near Vision

X

Hearing

X

Talking

X

Depth Perception

X

Repetitive actions w/left hand

X

Repetitive actions w/right hand

X

Repetitive actions w/left foot

X

Repetitive action w/right foot

X

 

Work environment

The temperature inside the facility will vary depending on the weather. Employees will come into contact with feed dust and the body fluids of animals that will include, but not limited to blood, saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter, etc.

 

 

This job description may not be all-inclusive and may be subject to change.