Swine Technician

Reports To: Barn Manager

Summary
The Swine Technician primary responsibility is to execute the daily tasks and standard operating procedures in the grow to finish unit for production. The Swine Technician will also be responsible for always maintaining and providing proper animal care and well-being. There daily tasks include but not limited to assisting in the process of heat and water checking, feeding, animal movement, artificial inseminations and monitor of sow pregnancy status following established protocols; Record any abnormalities, deaths and illnesses of pig, assisting in administering medications and vaccinations, birthing of piglets, power washing.

Core Competencies

1. Pay keen attention to details
2. Excellent written and oral communication
3. Follow direction well
4. Organizational skills to ensure all tasks are completed as required
5. Ability to solve problems effectively and efficiently
6. Ability to identify and discern possible safety issues

Job Duties

1. Assist in all aspects of a swine operation
2. Performs daily tasks such as feeding, checking water and ventilation
3. Perform daily health management on pigs to avoid lameness and death rate.
4. Adhere to bio-security standards
5. Maintain an organized and clean work area
6. Assist in Breeding and farrowing duties
7. Assist in weighing and sorting pigs for transport
8. Wash empty rooms and prep rooms for animal entry
9. Able to recognize and treat livestock health issues
10. Maintain livestock performance records
11. Daily monitors and evaluates sow health and condition
13. Maintain accurate records and submit them in a timely manner to your supervisor
13. Ensure that the farm’s work environment is safe by using safety equipment and following safety protocols
14. Monitor and report thermal environment of animals
15. Perform routine maintenance and pressure washing as needed
16. Following approved Standard Operating Procedures guidelines in feed and water daily.
17. Assist in moving sows, boars and piglets as directed by supervisor
18. Follow animal welfare policies and procedures including: - providing a physical environment that meets the animals needs; provide access to adequate and appropriate treatment of the animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
19. Record deaths and births daily on the required sow card and submit them in a timely manner.
20. Process litters daily. Processing includes but is not limited to castration, iron shots and tail docking.
21. Assists sows when having farrowing difficulties. Medicate sow when needed, following predetermined protocol.
22. Aid in breeding and gestation areas when needed.
23. Coordinate and perform general repairs and maintenance on facility equipment
24. Assist other farm employees in completing needed tasks of the day
25. Other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

Requirements

1. One year experience in Swine Industry preferred but not necessary
2. Self-motivated and excellent work ethic
3. Must be willing to learn and understand animal behaviours
4. Must be able to tolerate and willing to learn and perform the following tasks: euthanasia, artificial insemination, vaccination, piglet processing, ear tagging, tattooing, pressure washing and other procedures normal to animal husbandry.
5. Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors and frequently noisy conditions
6. Have a valid driving license

Work Conditions / Physical Demands / Safety requirements

1. Ability to lift up to 50lbs
2. Able to stand/walk/bend for extended periods of time
3. Majority of work is conducted in an indoor swine confinement environment which includes very dusty, noisy conditions with animals that have unpredictable movements.
4. Good body flexibility (much bending and twisting)
5. Ability to withstand jostling by animals
6. Must be physically fit
7. Have good mobility with ability to move quickly
8. Ear protection in high noise areas
9. Breathing mask in dusty areas
10. Follow all company safety procedures and regulations
11. Safety goggles which danger of flying objects is present

Promotes Professionalism
Professionalism of self and team by consistently achieving high standards, both visibly and "behind the scenes" through competence, integrity and respect.

Promotes a Culture of Safety
Safety always comes first! Everyone plays a meaningful role in the safety process.

Promotes Stewardship of Resources
Careful, ethical and responsible management of organizational resources including but not limited to people, capital, environmental and production resources.