What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Specialist position at schwartzfarms?
As a family company, Schwartz Farms, Inc. is committed to caring for its people and animals by demonstrating the values of humility, care, integrity, discipline and excellence. Known for quality pork production, Schwartz Farms is a proud advocate of creating opportunities for rural communities with presence in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. As a premier pork producer, Schwartz Farms embraces itself for a challenging and rewarding future.
Join our team at our new Minneapolis, Kansas location. We anticipate these positions beginning in January 2027 as we prepare to launch operations at our newly constructed facility.
POSITION OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE
The purpose of the Animal Care Specialist is to perform daily production tasks associated with breeding, gestation, farrowing, and the care of sows and piglets, while supporting animal welfare, production goals, biosecurity, safety, and accurate documentation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Production
- Conduct artificial breeding, as directed.
- Perform daily heat checks on animals and check bred groups for recycles.
- Perform inducing of sows.
- Execute proper farrowing of sows.
- Assist with preparation of pre-farrow rooms.
- Ensure proper execution of day one pig care.
- Identify piglets that require a teat to nurse, nurse sow, or litter swap.
- Ensure colostrum consumption in all newborn pigs during the first 12 hours of life.
- Ensure all sow and piglet needs are met.
- Assist in ensuring piglets are with the correct sow and crate; transfer and size piglets as directed.
- Move sows and piglets as directed.
- Identify, treat, and vaccinate sows and piglets as directed.
- Perform routine and seasonal vaccinations as directed.
- Process and castrate piglets.
- Feed lactating sows per protocol and stimulate feed consumption.
- Perform general feed maintenance on bred and open animals.
- Keep crates full of lactating sows.
- Ensure a proper animal environment, including ventilation, water, feed, and temperature.
- Adjust heat lamps as directed.
- Notify the Department Leader of ventilation questions or concerns.
- Ensure a clean work environment, including barns, farrowing rooms, hallways, and animal living areas.
- Assist with power washing as assigned.
- Perform maintenance tasks as assigned and trained.
- Assist with weekly and monthly inventory counts of sows and piglets.
Animal Welfare, Biosecurity, and Safety
- Advocate and engage in SFI's Animal Welfare Policy by promoting animal well-being, remedying circumstances that impede animal care, and properly reporting instances of mistreatment or abuse.
- Follow and enforce all SFI biosecurity policies and procedures.
- Follow all training program requirements and procedures.
- Promote and maintain the highest level of workplace safety and safe work practices.
- Maintain PQA certification status.
Documentation
- Assist in maintaining breeding, production, inventory, treatment, sow removal, and transaction records.
Teamwork
- Exhibit strong teamwork by working toward team goals, embracing new technologies, and participating in new projects.
Physical Requirements
- Be capable of lifting a minimum of 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation.
The preceding statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Additional duties may be assigned as business needs arise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Weekend and holiday work rotations, as established by the Supervisor, are required.