Animal Welfare Specialist - Schwartz Farms : Job Details

As a family company, Schwartz Farms, Inc. is committed to caring for its people and animals by demonstrating the values of integrity, respect, excellence, and adaptability. Known for quality pork production, SFI 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.

We are seeking individuals who demonstrate these values for an Animal Welfare Specialist. As an Animal Welfare Specialist, you can count on becoming not just part of a growing company, but a family.

POSITION OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE:

This position is available in the Northwest Iowa / Southwest Minnesota Area.

Under the direction of the Animal Welfare and Compliance Manager, the Animal Welfare Specialist shall be responsible for upholding and executing animal welfare standards by ensuring personnel and sites maintain animal welfare standards upheld by company protocols and industry guidelines. Individual will participate in training, education & support of team members; review & continuous improvement measures; and monitoring and auditing of sites. Individual shall collaborate with team members as well as independent farm families, third party transporters, processing plants and others who may interact with company livestock.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Specifically, the Animal Welfare Specialist is responsible for the following activities:

• Review policies, objectives, programs and standard operating procedures; where appropriate, provide recommendations for revised or new protocols
• As directed communicate, train and implement policies, objectives and standard operating procedures as they relate to animal welfare, in and at all types of sites and with all personnel; collaborate with site/pod manager on changes, bottlenecks and challenges specific to that site/pod to ensure appropriate and proper deployment
• As directed, communicate, train and implement policies, objectives and standard operating procedures as they relate to biosecurity, in and at all types of sites and with all personnel, including transporters
• Acquire and maintain PQA/TQA Advisor status, ensuring personnel and sites obtain and maintain PQA & TQA certification & other adopted site assessments that may exist, as well as train appropriate personnel regarding the transporter emergency action plan per company protocols
• Coordinate training and orientation for personnel regarding animal handling at sites
• Ensure completion of animal welfare assessments & audits, per company protocols, as well as proper follow-up of identified issues and/or improvement points at all sites
• Provide recommendations for sites and equipment improvements
• As directed by the Animal Welfare and Compliance Manager, act as a liaison and resource for the loading process in and at sites including but not limited to:
  • Assess & train loading personnel
  • Determine best practices; systemize and educate personnel on best practices
  • Provide recommendations in handling, equipment and structural changes at sites
  • Work closely with processors to monitor unloading and ensure proper follow-up of expectations
  • Review reports in a timely manner to monitor transit losses & look for other indicators of improvement opportunities, identifying key sites and personnel requiring additional training, follow up and or corrective actions on transit losses
• In consult and as directed by Animal Welfare and Compliance Manager, act as a liaison and resource for transporters, including:
  • Aid in the development of transport protocol, helping to enforce biosecurity and load preparation standards, i.e. bedding and boarding guidelines, and misting requirements
  • Monitor transit losses in assigned territory
  • Coordinate efforts to involve and continuously improve packer relations, focusing on driver relations, industry standards and packer expectations
• Act as liaison between Company and third-party audits, participate in system audits conducted by processor(s); communicate findings to stakeholders and ensure findings are addressed throughout the system; ensure Company maintains required industry certifications
• As directed, participate in the investigation of animal mishandling or abuse claims / concerns

The preceding statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate Schwartz Farms' values of integrity, respect, excellence, innovation and adaptability
• Advocate and engage in SFI's animal welfare policy, including promoting animal well-being, remedying circumstances which impede animal care, and properly reporting instances of mistreatment or abuse
• Maintain and promote a safe working environment
• Additional duties may be assigned as they arise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Acceptable MVR
• Three years' previous experience in swine production
• Knowledge of acceptable industry practices
• Excellent production, communication, presentation, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to exercise judgment, tact and firmness with stakeholders
• Strong sense of professionalism; able to represent Schwartz Farms in a positive manner
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual (English & Spanish)
• Bachelor or associate degree with emphasis in animal science, agri-business, ag education, or equivalent
• Twelve months' supervisory and/or training experience

The preceding qualifications are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience could provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Position involves travel and non-standard business hours, including overnight travel.