Animal Caretaker - GDU

IOWA SELECT FARMS JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Gilt Development Unit Animal Caretaker

REPORTS TO: GDU Manager

LAST REVISION DATE: 12/12/23

COMPANY VALUES:

• We believe in doing the right thing every day, operating with character and integrity, and being stewards of our resource by committing to:
  1. Our Animals
  2. Our People
  3. Our Environment
  4. Our Community

• The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We expect all leaders, managers, and employees to demonstrate, foster and promote:
  1. Respect: We treat people with respect regardless of personal opinions or differing backgrounds, and no one within the organization is more or less important than anyone else
  2. Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for completing our job responsibilities and following through on our commitments. We encompass our ability to recognize our own strengths and areas for improvement as well as accept responsibility for the performance and actions of ourselves and our teams without blaming others.
  3. Good Decision-Making: We are expected to continuously improve processes, attain results, and create efficiencies to achieve our mission while solving problems based on a combination of factual information, analysis, wisdom, and experience.
  4. Flexibility: We must react to changing circumstances, ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence, openness, positive energy, and optimism.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

• To work as a team member caring for and administering to feeder pigs and gilts to assure optimum productivity. This person will assist where needed working with animals and light facility repair and maintenance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to ISF bio-security policy at all times and report to management team any violation.
• Adhere to ISF animal wellbeing policy at all times and know reporting procedures when incident occurs.
• Adhere to ISF safety policies and procedures and wear appropriate safety equipment (PPE) for appropriate tasks and work in a safe manner.
• The 3 key responsibilities listed above are all tracked via audits, you play a critical role in the success of audits for the entire farm which also impacts incentive payouts.
• Care and management of animals to ensure that:
  • Animals are properly fed.
  • Water is available,
  • Observation of all animals daily and ensuring sick animals are properly treated.
  • Overall animal conditions are evaluated and maintained.
  • Follow proper steps for timely euthanasia and be able to identify when it is needed.
• Care and management of facilities to ensure that:
  • Fans, curtains, heaters and other equipment are working properly.
  • Ventilation equipment is adjusted to provide proper environment.
  • Facilities are kept clean, including power washing and disinfecting.
• Maintain accurate records using ISF forms and protocols.
• Procure, administer and dispense medications and vaccinations according to ISF protocols.
• Perform heat detection, artificial insemination and pregnancy checks.
• Proper handling of chemicals (storage and application).
• Follow dead removal protocols; including driving farm equipment/tractors and ensure safety and biosecurity procedures are being followed.
• Move animals (gilts and boars) using safe handling practices.
• Provide feedback to farm manager.
• Receive, sort and pen incoming pigs.
• Assist with loading and unloading activities.
• Perform month end inventories on animals and supplies.
• Demeanor should be positive and professional at all times.
• Daily focus should be on welfare of animals, not personal issues.
• Attendance is critical. Be at work on scheduled days and be ready to walk into barns by start time given.
• Be friendly, positive, helpful, team-oriented and respectful to co-workers and management team.

COMPANY EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms bio-security policy at all times which includes reporting any violations or concerns to management team
• Compliance with Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures which includes continuous education to maintain a safe work environment
• Follow Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policy at all times and partner with the Production Well-being team in a timely manner if an incident occurs

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Leadership and Collaboration
• Work ethic and Dedication
• Demonstrated Success
• Time management and Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving and Initiative
• Trusted with Responsibility
• Respect
• Communication
• Accountability
• Ability to learn and teach

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is performed primarily outdoors.
• The environment of this position will change daily pending weekly schedule.
• This position may require some tasks to be performed in extreme outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibrations.
• The environment you will be working in may have nuisance levels of gases and dust, particularly in the winter months.

PHYSICALITY REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds along with climbing up ladders and over gates.
• The employee must be able to continuously repeat necessary movements such as bending, lifting and different hand movements as needed to complete tasks.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This position can be a full-time or a part-time position. Full-time schedule will typically require at least 40 hours a week.
• Part time hours cannot exceed an average of 30 hours per week over the year's timeframe.
• The scheduling and hours of a part-time employee are determined based off employee availability along with farm/department needs.
• Additional availability may be required during staffing challenges.
• Weekend and holiday rotations are a requirement.

TRAVEL

• Local travel could be required between sites as needed based on health and other records.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/ Experience: None required
• Bilingual: Preferred but not required

OTHER DUTIES

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed at any time with or without notice.