This opportunity is specifically open to J1 visa applicants. Job Summary: Assistance in the pre-natal, farrowing, and post-natal care of sows, gilts, and piglets.
Required Job Hours: Approximately 45 hours per week; 9 hours per day; 5 days per week plus rotating weekends.
Essential Job Responsibilities: - Assessment of sow, gilt, and piglet condition;
- Observing and assisting actively farrowing sows and gilts (8 hours per day);
- Responsibility for as many as 25 sows farrowing at any given time;
- Assessment and assistance with all sows and new piglets for birthing and newborn care;
- Must be able to legibly write on sow cards for production documentation;
- Administration of treatment to sows and piglets;
- Moving sows and gilts; and
- Comply with all bio-security, safety, and animal welfare policies.
Physical Requirements: - Must be able to reach, bend, kneel, and squat with a full range of motion and demonstrate agility to handle birthing sows and new piglets, frequently;
- Continuous walking from crate to crate to check on pigs, a minimum of 8 hours per day;
- Quick reaction time and the ability to quickly reach a crate to assist with any piglets that are being compromised;
- Continuous bending over crates to reach piglets (approximately 300 times per day) for marking, split suckling, weighing, and lactation;
- Frequent lifting, placing, and removing split suckle boards (approximately 8 lbs);
- Must be able to lift a maximum of 15 pounds consistently, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds;
- Must be able to push and pull up to 30 pounds;
- Must be able to stand and walk 8 hours every day, with a 45-minute break; and
- Must have fine motor skills for writing, entering data into computers, administering treatment shots, writing on sow cards, and weighing individual piglets.