Farmworker - Animal Caretaker

Job description

The Farmworkers/Animal Caretaker will perform general farm labor in connection with our seasonal poultry and crop operations as outlined below:
Pullet Rearing/Litter Management: Maintain or remove litter (animal waste) from aisles in our barns on a daily basis during the fall/winter season. Maintain litter aisle shavings and keep calcium chip buckets filled as needed. This specific cleaning is done to a greater extent and different from the daily, routine cleaning that other employees perform due to the time of year. Workers will split up baby chicks to different tiers within barn. Vaccinate pullets at thirteen weeks of age. Load pullets into carts to be transported to laying hen houses at the end of the rearing period. Workers will perform dry and wet cleaning and maintenance duties to prepare laying houses for pullets at the end of the rearing period and to clean empty pullet houses after pullets are moved out. The dry-cleaning duties include using backpack blowers to blow down henhouses, sweep floors, clean lights and other miscellaneous cleaning and light repair duties. Wet cleaning includes pressure washing and spraying wet disinfectant to thoroughly clean henhouses. This job includes holding a pressure washing nozzle outstretched from your body for a number of hours in a very humid environment. This cleaning is to a greater extent and different from the daily, routine cleaning that other employees perform. Due to enhanced biosecurity protocol, workers will only be allowed to enter and work in areas approved by their supervisor.

Farmworker/Cage Assembly: Workers needed to disassemble existing conventional cage systems. Workers will then be asked to assemble cage free housing systems in place of the conventional caged system. Throughout the process the barn will need to be maintained for cleanliness. Once systems are in place workers will assist with the placement and care of birds.

Corn Crop: Workers will be responsible for any and all activities related to the corn crop. Activities will include but are not limited to planting, plowing, spraying, harvesting, drying and general maintenance required for care of the crop, crop land, or crop equipment.

Seasonal Maintenance: Workers will perform dry and wet cleaning and maintenance duties to prepare laying houses for pullets at the end of the rearing period and to clean empty pullet houses after pullets are moved out. Remove mortality as needed. The dry-cleaning duties include using backpack blowers to blow down henhouses, sweep floors, clean lights and other miscellaneous cleaning and light repair duties. Wet cleaning includes pressure washing and spraying wet disinfectant to thoroughly clean henhouses. This job includes holding a pressure washing nozzle outstretched from your body for a number of hours in a very humid environment. Due to enhanced biosecurity protocol, workers will only be allowed to enter and work in areas approved by their supervisor. Pick up refuse and perform light maintenance in and around the exterior of the farm, including painting and light construction. Sweeping, cleaning and painting in and around farmstead, including buildings and grounds. The task is to a greater extent and does not replace the routine daily cleaning and maintenance performed by poultry care or general farm staff.

Biosecurity Requirements - Any persons coming on to our farms and into our barns must not own birds, unless they are not located within a commutable distance from any of our farm locations. This is mandated by the following:
· United Egg Producers — Animal Welfare Certification
· United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) — National Poultry Improvement Program — Biosecurity Indemnification Requirement
· Eggland's Best Standard Operating Procedures — Biosecurity Standard
· Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR, Parts 16 and 118 — Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs

Special Requirements

3 months experience and worker needs to be mechanically inclined. Workers must be physically able to lift up to 75 lbs with assistance. Employer will furnish to workers, without cost, all tools and equipment required to perform duties assigned. After hire, employer may conduct random drug testing at employer's expense. Background check required of all applicants after hire at employer expense. Workers must understand basic instructions in English. Hours may vary based on weather and crop conditions.