Hatchery Associate

The Hatchery Associate is responsible for supporting the daily operations of a poultry hatchery by ensuring a clean, safe, and efficient production environment while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and quality. This position performs a variety of production and sanitation duties, including egg transfer, hatch preparation, chick handling, equipment cleaning, and facility maintenance. The successful candidate must be dependable, safety-conscious, and capable of working in a fast-paced agricultural environment.

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hatchery facility in accordance with company sanitation, biosecurity, and food safety standards.
• Clean and sanitize hatchery equipment, including setters, hatchers, conveyors, work tables, trays, floors, walls, ceilings, and other production equipment.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers following established operating procedures and production schedules.
• Prepare newly hatched chicks for processing, sexing, vaccination (where applicable), packaging, and shipment to customer farms.
• Handle day-old chicks carefully and humanely in accordance with animal welfare standards, company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and applicable industry guidelines.
• Assemble chick boxes and prepare shipping materials for customer deliveries.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while ensuring chick quality standards are maintained.
• Monitor work areas for cleanliness, equipment functionality, and potential safety hazards, reporting concerns promptly to supervision.
• Follow all company policies regarding biosecurity, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental health and safety, and quality assurance.
• Maintain accurate production records and complete required documentation as assigned.
• Support inventory management by maintaining adequate supplies of production materials and notifying supervisors of shortages.
• Participate in routine preventive cleaning and maintenance activities.
• Assist with facility housekeeping to ensure production areas remain organized and free of debris.
• Work collaboratively with team members to meet daily production schedules and operational goals.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Previous agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform repetitive work while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must possess reliable transportation to and from work.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, based on business needs.

• Commitment to animal welfare and humane handling practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain quality standards.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet production deadlines.
• Basic understanding of workplace safety practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Willingness to learn company procedures and participate in ongoing training.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequently bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, including gripping, grasping, and twisting.
• Work with approved cleaning chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants while using required PPE.
• Work in environments that may be wet, damp, dusty, noisy, and have agricultural odors.
• Regularly interact with live poultry and hatchery materials.
• Work in varying temperature conditions, including both warm and cool environments.
• Routinely work up to six (6) days per week, including weekends and holidays, as production demands require.

Aviagen provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Eligible employees may participate in medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, Employee…