Animal Production Specialist

Animal Production Specialist

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.