Broiler Breeder Service Technician

About us

Longenecker's Hatchery is a regional supplier of high-quality broiler chicks and broiler hatching eggs. We exist to deliver excellence and the opportunity for continuous growth.

Schedule

Monday through Friday (very occasional weekend availability required)

The typical shift is 9 hours but can range from 6 to 12.

The typical start is 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM, depending on drive time, but can range from 3:00AM to 7:00AM.

Self-discipline and strong personal accountability are required to plan your own schedule. Presence on-site is essential at internal meetings and at the farms.

Reporting Structure

Reports to Breeder Layer Manager

No positions currently report to Broiler Breeder Service Technician

Position Summary

The Breeder Service Technician is responsible for: engaging contract farmers, partnering with them to manage designated broiler breeder chicken flocks located across southern and central PA. Responsible for adhering to our core values and for carrying our core purpose to the farm, delivering excellence and the opportunity for continuous growth:

• to our farmers… in engagement, expectations, tools and accountability
• to our chicks and birds… in maintained standards for poultry management and welfare

This includes performing all activities necessary for establishing and maintaining high productivity in the assigned poultry flocks.

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate duties, processes, activities related to the assigned flocks:
• calculate feeding program amounts and weighs birds
• coordinate or perform blood testing of flocks
• schedule field vaccinations of the birds
• coordinate the movement of birds, delivery of propane and shavings
• record flock data into data bases accurately
• engage in weekly meetings to review flocks’ performance
• attend meetings and training sessions to improve knowledge base
• Field Duties and Responsibility:
• travel weekly to an established route of flocks (subject to change)
• interact daily with farmers, managers, and a team of other service technicians
• empower our contract farmers to achieve mutually beneficial results by following our standard operating procedures
• perform field vaccinations and/or administer medications
• weigh, handles pullets, hens and males
• communicate with farmers and crew in order to optimize flock performance
• become familiar with breed poultry quality programs such as NPIP
• perform all operations following biosecurity procedures
• troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment
• perform all work with a high level of animal welfare standards
• Duties, responsibilities, and essential functions may be added, modified, or reassigned at any time based on organizational needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, processes, and business needs while maintaining accuracy and productivity
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude while contributing to team success and continuous improvement
• Ability to continuously learn and apply new knowledge, skills, and industry best practices.
• Ability to maintain reliable and consistent attendance
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to produce legible, accurate, and complete forms, reports, and field documentation
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments, coworkers and venders and to work effectively and efficiently independently
• Ability to learn safety guidelines and biosecurity procedures and follow them
• Ability to consistently wear and properly utilize all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policies and safety requirements
• Ability to understand the big picture and to appreciate our overall system of business involving coworkers, vendors, contract farmers, and customers
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and maintain a steady focus on tasks throughout the day
• Ability to perform job duties in various environments (cold, hot, dusty, wet, noisy, humid) for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to perform job duties in both indoor and outdoor environments
• Ability to learn SOPs and follow them while using practical judgement
• Ability to safely and efficiently travel between assigned work locations throughout the service territory
• Ability to maintain reliable transportation to fulfill job responsibilities
• Ability to inspect, weigh, handle, and evaluate poultry while maintaining animal welfare standards
• Ability to perform vaccinations, administer medications, and support flock health programs
• Ability to collect, analyze, and accurately document flock performance data
• Ability to build effective working relationships with contract farmers and suppliers
• Ability to provide communication, guidance and support to farmers
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple farm locations, schedules, and priorities
• Ability to work for extended periods in remote rural locations where restroom facilities may be limited or unavailable
• Ability to safely operate a company or personal vehicle for business purposes, maintaining compliance with all applicable traffic laws, company policies, and company driving eligibility requirements

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate proficiently in written and verbal English
• Clear, legible handwriting
• Background in animal husbandry (preferred)
• Strong agriculture background or desire preferred
• Completion of a 2-year or 4-year Animal Science or related degree (preferred)
• Strong personal integrity
• Self-motivated to be efficient, resourceful, detail-oriented
• Strong commitment to teamwork
• Excellent communicator with leadership skills
• Excellent follow up and follow through
• Ability to solve problems and prioritize for completion of workload in a timely manner
• Possess and maintain a valid, Pennsylvania driver’s license
• Ability to do arithmetic
• Ability to use spreadsheets
• Ability to use computers, tablets, and smartphones
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data management
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and correcting discrepancies

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to repetitively bend, twist, and lift objects weighing 10-15 lbs.
• Ability to work while standing, squatting, kneeling, bending and sitting
• Ability to stand and walk on concrete, gravel, shavings, and uneven ground for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to see clearly near and far and perceive depth, with or without prescription
• Ability to drive a vehicle for extended periods of time, multiple times throughout the workday
• Ability to handle mostly indoor work with some outdoor work
• Ability to lift and maneuver day-old to full-grown chickens

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $61,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• How did you hear about us?
• How soon are you available to start?
• We have preemployment drug testing. Will that be an issue for you?
• Are you 18 years of age or older?
• Do you have any misdemeanors or felonies in the last 7 years?
• Are you currently employed?
• Are there any poultry, pet birds, or pigs on the property where you live?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Animal husbandry: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $61,000