Farm Associate I

Job Description Summary

Aviagen Turkeys, Inc. is seeking dependable, detail-oriented Farm Associates to support daily operations at our turkey lay farms. Farm Associates play an important role in maintaining the health and welfare of our birds, carefully collecting and grading eggs, and accurately recording flock and production information.

This is a hands-on agricultural position involving daily interaction with live poultry. No previous poultry experience is required; animal husbandry or farm experience is preferred. Successful candidates will be observant, comfortable performing physical and repetitive work, and committed to following animal-welfare, biosecurity, and safety procedures.

Because animals require care every day, candidates must have a flexible schedule and may work up to six days per week, including weekends and holidays.

About the role

• Provide daily care for live poultry in accordance with Aviagen's animal-care and welfare standards.
• Gather eggs carefully to minimize damage and prevent excessive breakage.
• Grade eggs according to category, size, and condition.
• Transfer egg flats from the poultry house to the egg cooler.
• Wash eggs and maintain clean and sanitary conditions in egg-washing and cooler areas.
• Accurately count, record, and enter egg-production and flock information.
• Monitor flock health and behavior and document health concerns or mortality.
• Inspect poultry-house conditions, including feed lines, drinkers, fans, pens, and overall barn appearance.
• Troubleshoot basic equipment or facility issues and promptly report concerns requiring additional assistance.
• Move and distribute feed weighing up to 50 pounds while ensuring all birds have access to feed.
• Safely catch, handle, and collect birds for movement, weighing, or other required activities.
• Clean and disinfect poultry houses, equipment, and work areas.
• Assist with poultry-house cleanouts and rebuilding bird pens as needed.
• Use detergents, disinfectants, and other approved chemicals according to established safety procedures.
• Complete all assigned work safely, efficiently, and according to training.
• Perform other farm-related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Basic reading, writing, arithmetic, and data-entry skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to recognize changes or concerns involving birds, equipment, or poultry-house conditions.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately and consistently.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Animal husbandry, agricultural, or poultry experience is preferred but not required.

Physical and Work-Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for eight hours or longer.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, grip, grasp, and twist repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Ability to safely catch, hold, and handle live poultry on a routine basis.
• Ability to perform manual work in hot or cold temperatures.
• Ability to work in dry, dusty, damp, or wet conditions.
• Ability to work around farm-related odors, disinfectants, and other approved chemicals.
• Ability to work in loud or noisy areas and environments with substantial dust.
• Ability to follow all safety, animal-welfare, and biosecurity policies and procedures.

USA Benefits

Aviagen provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the healthcare and financial well-being of our employees. Aviagen offers medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage, subject to the terms and conditions of Plan documents. Additionally, you will be eligible for company observed paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO) at a rate of 14 days per year, prorated based on your hire date.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the Country of Specified Job Location at hire and must maintain authorization to work in that Country throughout their employment with our company.