Poultry Care Technician - Kreher Farm Fresh Eggs : Job Details

JOB SUMMARY

The primary objective of the Poultry Care Technician I is to monitor various animal husbandry aspects of the pullets and laying hens, including vaccination program maintenance and monitoring; scheduling and monitoring sampling needs to maintain various certifications; and assisting in monitoring and assessing results of any internal trials that may occur.

JOB RESPONSIBILTIES

Strategic and tactical work for which this position is accountable:

The responsibilities may be shared or divided among multiple Poultry Care Technicians. It is the responsibility of a Poultry Care Technician I to:

Maintain weekly flock records along with weekly visits to each assigned barn such that pertinent flock information can be gathered and relayed to Director of Poultry Health each week.

Perform regular vaccine audits at each location on regular basis, perform any training refreshers to vaccination crew that may be needed

May include participating in vaccinating process or mixing vaccine

Monitoring and recording pox vaccine takes and other pertinent vaccine administration information

Help coordinate receipt of sampling supplies (in conjunction with Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance)

Prepare and distribute serology blood draw supplies, verify receipt, and lab submission

Maintain serology results in developed database

Coordinate Salmonella testing kit orders with the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center Lab to ensure timely arrive for our needs

Verify receipt, distribution, and submission of the required samples to the laboratory

Weigh birds, draw blood, collect bursa, conduct SE tests, post birds and fill in as needed to ensure that all samples/tests are completed.

Ensure that all regulatory paperwork is collected for each flock in a timely manner such that each flock record is always kept up to date and complete.

Collect and update fly count records for assigned farm(s).

Perform routine internal audits of assigned: layer and pullet houses, external facility, and feed mills.

Help update and distribute monthly production sheets and all related paperwork associated with assigned tasks

Feed targets

Barn records

Barn cleaning and water testing protocols

New flock sheets and records

Barn fill sheets and feed and light schedules

Complete water monitoring SOPs at each location on a predetermined basis.

Assist in the monitoring, recording, and reporting results for ongoing in-house trial work, including but not limited to:

OPGs

Enrichments

Feather scores

Ascarids

Assist with layer and pullet house health and wellness:

Posting birds

F – check feed, feeders

L – check lights, light readings, day length

A – air quality (ammonia), ventilation, humidity

W – water, water quality, water readings

S – sanitation (overall cleanliness of house)

Bird health, bird behavior, weights of birds, weights of eggs, ensuring that all paperwork is being done properly.

Weekly flock records and analysis

Training of caretakers (requirement of American Humane)

Fill in for Poultry Care Attendants as needed.

Participate in annual certification audits and the required paperwork for these audits as necessary.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Capabilities and traits essential to perform satisfactorily

Perform job duties independently

Manage time to be able to complete all job-related tasks without direct supervision

Intermediate computer skills working with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, etc.)

Data analytical skills

Complete Poultry Care Attendant training

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associates degree in animal science or related field or equivalent work experience in animal production setting required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in animal production setting or in the veterinary field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is mobile in nature requiring moderate to high energy levels and occasional physical exertion. There is exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, temperature changes, agricultural noise and hazards usually accompanied by visits to agricultural facilities

May require significant driving time as duties will be fulfilled at all locations

May require a lot of walking and exposure to poultry house environment and pullet and laying hens

Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES NECESSARY FOR POULTRY CARE TECHNICIAN II

Able to work under limited supervision

Continuous improvement mindset

Has the ability and desire to be a very effective trainer

Excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence to teach and influence contract producers

Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and work situations

Shows a desire to learn more about poultry science and animal welfare

Proven record of good time management skills and paperwork organization

Has an excellent understanding of the vaccination program and equipment used and can train house management on assigned site(s) procedures

Competency of good inventory management practices

Has a basic understanding of feed mill operations

Shows leadership when working around others with less leadership skills

Takes initiative to learn more and take on more responsibility

Has outstanding attendance and reliability