Swine Technician, Sow

Animal Care Specialist

Responsible for daily care of animals through implementation of established production procedures becoming a skilled employee in animal husbandry to reduce stress of herd and maximize production.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Provide daily care and handling of swine, ensuring proper feeding and hydration.
• Monitor animal health and report any signs of illness or distress.
• Assist in breeding and genetics programs, including blood sampling and record-keeping.
• Maintain sanitation standards in animal housing and equipment.
• Utilize mechanical knowledge for equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Collaborate with farm manager along with veterinary staff for health assessments and treatments.
• Administrates vaccinations and health shots properly.
• Power washes and disinfects rooms.
• Able to shuffle and move animals with limited stress.
• Understands how and when to use sow mats.
• Assist with heat detection procedures and assist with artificial insemination.
• Marks the sow cards for breeding, health, etc.
• Choring barns - understands the feed system requirements and routine for feeding and watering sows.
• Processing, clip tails and castrate piglets.

Skills and abilities:

• Proficient in animal handling and husbandry techniques
• Strong skills in animal care
• Experience in veterinary practices and sampling
• Knowledge of sanitation protocols and heavy lifting
• Familiarity with farming and agricultural principles
• Basic math skills for record-keeping and data analysis
• Mechanical knowledge related to farm equipment
• Understanding of genetics and swine experience is a plus
• Work effectively and proactively with a variety of personalities.
• Work effectively, calmly and respectfully with live animals.
• Ability to be a team player and assist other areas as needed.
• Must have strong cleanliness habits at all times.
• Detailed and organized.
• Proficiency in basic reading, math and computer skills.
• Must display a professional image through verbal communication and actions.

Working conditions: Work is performed almost exclusively in a hog confinement in rural areas. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours, alternate weekends, and rotating holidays. Hours average 45 hours per week but do vary. There will be some variation in work hours due to animal care and health, weather, employee shift schedules, special projects, and other concerns. Noise levels that require hearing protection in some areas.

Physical requirements:

• Standing, walking and ability to be on feet while on concrete 8 to 10 hours per day.
• Frequent lifting of objects weighing 3-50 pounds
• Frequent bending, reaching, squatting, stooping, and kneeling.
• Frequent use of one or both hands/arms to grasp, push, pull.
• Ability to climb ladder approximately feet 15-25 feet in elevation.
• Occasional bending while lifting/pulling 50 pounds to 100 pounds of force to move an object with or without the assistance of another person.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to print and/or write legibly.

Experience: High School Diploma/GED preferred.