Animal Handling Specialist

Animal Handling Specialist – Smithfield Foods As an Animal Handling Specialist, you will ensure the highest standards of animal welfare at the plant level, leading training initiatives, managing animal welfare audits, and serving as the liaison between the plant and regulatory agencies. Responsibilities Animal Handling & Transportation: monitor trucks for proper transportation equipment, unloading practices, timeliness of arrival, and animal wait times; monitor pigs for signs of sensibility, appropriate rest time, correct use of approved handling tools, and proper handling procedures throughout the facility, including during extreme weather conditions. Animal Welfare Oversight: organize and lead the animal welfare response team committee meetings and actions; serve as plant lead on all audit and tour groups involving animal welfare; prepare documentation for audits and present it to auditors; conduct daily plant and transportation audits and review audit results with management. Training & Education: train all current and new livestock handlers on Smithfield’s livestock handling, euthanization, and humane handling policies; attend company and industry events and training sessions to enhance knowledge and represent the company on animal welfare topics. Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations: maintain positive relationships with government officials, address issues or concerns, and draft responses to noncompliance reports; train employees, producers, and transporters on the National Pork Board’s Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program as needed. Facility Maintenance & Operations: monitor facility condition and assist with scheduling maintenance; assist with daily tasks involved in receiving animals and maintaining operational efficiency and accuracy. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (Bachelor’s degree preferred). Prior animal handling instruction (preferred). PAACO certified auditor (preferred). TQA Instructor Certification (preferred). Working knowledge of livestock handling tools and experience with captive bolt gun. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Excellent verbal and written communication skills with management, producers, USDA, and others as needed. Ability to multi‑task, prioritize daily work assignments, and manage time wisely. Ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment; respectful, approachable, team‑oriented while building strong working relationships. Physical Demands & Work Environment Frequently required to move and/or lift 50 pounds and occasionally required to move and/or lift more than 100 pounds. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Equal Employment Opportunity Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr