Farm Hand

Farm Technician II

Title: Farm Technician II

Location: Voluntown, CT and Lebanon, CT

Industry: Poultry, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical

Salary:$26.50/hr.

Shift: Days 5am-2pm – weekends required

Job Type: Direct Hire

About the Company

Our client has been recognized as the world's largest and most trusted producer of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs and adjacent laboratory products and services for the development and manufacture of biologics and vaccines that are used for both human and animal health.

They supply leading manufacturers with critical bioprocessing inputs, including SPF eggs, antigens, and cell products. In addition, offer numerous diagnostic testing and manufacturing support services, including virus propagation and isolation, custom cell production, and quality control testing.

They also support the development of new therapeutics by providing antibodies such as IgY for use in clinical trials.

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled Farm Technician II to assist in various areas of our farm operations, including hatchery, brooding, house management, egg processing, egg pickup, packing, crew, maintenance, and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and upkeep of all company facilities and grounds, including mowing, trimming, pesticide and herbicide application, snow removal, and light maintenance.
• Operate a skidsteer, tractor, forklift, or other necessary farm or site machinery.
• Cover the role of Poultry House Operator, operating egg sanitizing machine, collection tables and conveyance systems; collect, sanitize, inspect, and eggs according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or special instruction.
• Assist the Recycle Crew and Maintenance departments as needed.
• Hatchery responsibilities: egg receiving, egg sorting, setting, and candling.
• Monitor and maintain bird condition by observing feather cover, temperament, and body weights.
• Euthanize birds as required by management and remove dead birds.
• Perform required environmental testing.
• Perform required health testing, blood sampling, cloacal swabs, fecal material sample collection.
• May be required to drive a company vehicle that entails participation in the Dept. of Transportation Driver Qualification File program.
• May be required to transport fragile or perishable product.
• Accurately complete required recordkeeping documents/forms.
• Perform general housekeeping duties and basic maintenance of equipment.
• Adhere to biosecurity procedures in the performance of all duties.
• Adhere to the company's animal welfare policies.
• Disinfect supplies, equipment, the building entry lock system, and rooms according to SOP.
• Follow the company's environmental health and safety policies and practices.
• Complete annual Fit Testing certification with a N95, half, and full-face cartridge respirator mask is required.
• Possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Check and respond to phone messages, texts, and emails as necessary to facilitate proper communication, essential to the business.
• Capable of monitoring farm operations in the absence of Farm Management. Communicate any issues with staff, husbandry, and/or building systems to management. Report mechanical issues to Farm Management and Maintenance.
• Possess a competent level of understanding of the day-to-day operations of a SPF production farm.
• Comprehensive understanding of a FAPP House water, feed delivery, ventilation, and air filtration systems; interior and exterior.
• Hatchery operations: Understand the operation and adjustment of incubation and hatcher systems and concepts.
• Hatch day responsibility: delivery of chicks to designated farm, sorting/evaluating day old chicks, beak treatments, dubbing, spur trimming, cleaning equipment and facilities, documentation.
• Assist in Packing & Shipping.
• Basic understanding of Maximus or other applicable environmental monitoring systems.
• On Farm alarm monitoring and reporting to management.
• Participate in Necropsy review and training provided by DVM.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Employed in the Farm Tech One position for three years or demonstrated exceptional job skills and knowledge.
• Satisfactorily complete a written evaluation and review covering all related areas of poultry husbandry and farm operations.
• Certification/Licensure: Valid Driver's License. May require obtaining DOT medical certificate.
• Other: Demonstrated accuracy in record keeping. Demonstrate and explain working knowledge of relevant farm and production house procedures and systems.
• Must be available to work any day of the week. Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about the farm and inside production buildings, positioning self to perform tasks at various heights.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Required to wear protective clothing, gloves, hair net, various respirator types after successfully passing a respirator fit test.
• This position requires traveling to the assigned location using own transportation.
• Pass annual TSA certification.

Work Environment

• Exposure to chemicals, dust, and odors.
• Frequently works near moving, mechanical parts.
• Occasionally works in high, precarious places.
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions as well as other outdoor conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an EOE/ADA employer

Salary : $27