Herdsperson FARM Trainee​/Laborer Bertie​/Hertford Counties, NC

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A great job—and a great future—awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us.
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Compensation: $16.00 hourly + $3.00 weekend work pay.

Full Time - Days - Advancement Opportunities.

FARM openings:
Aulander, Cofield, Garysburg, Ahoskie

You will need your own transportation. Serious inquiries only!

The Herdsperson assists other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. The employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, buses, and other farm equipment as directed. May be in training for advanced Herd Technician designation. The Herdsperson position also provides for the care of all animals at the designated work site, particularly their health, growth, and breeding.

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high‑pressure equipment.
• Processes piglets, which includes:
  Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
• Maintains accurate production information and updates all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Follows the Standard Operating Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follows the Company’s animal welfare policies and procedures including providing a physical environment that meets the animals’ needs, providing access to adequate water and high‑quality feed, humane treatment of the animals, identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care, and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety, and biosecurity laws and procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48‑hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limited to power outages or personnel shortages.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team‑oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e., penicillin).
• Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a disabled individual, or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757‑357‑1595.