Animal Caretaker - Avalanche Farm 2
PIPESTONEJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
This full-time, onsite Swine Technician role at Avalanche Farm 2 in Burlington focuses on daily care, health, and welfare of pigs, including feeding, vaccinations, farrowing support, breeding assistance, and recordkeeping while upholding welfare and biosecurity. You will follow production protocols to maximize sow and gilt performance, keep barns clean, operate equipment, and communicate with farm management. No experience is required, but any animal husbandry background helps; the most important traits are strong attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to follow procedures safely. Expect physically demanding work, standing eight to ten hours, lifting and bending. Tips emphasize flexibility, reliable transportation, willingness to learn, and team collaboration.
Objective
A Swine Technician is responsible for the daily care, health, and welfare of pigs in a swine production facility. This role involves performing tasks related to animal husbandry, health management, feeding, breeding, and facility maintenance to ensure the highest standards of swine production.
Role and Responsibilities
- Learn and monitor the health and well-being of swine, ensuring they receive proper nutrition and care.
- Follow all production protocols and procedures to maximize sow and gilt production & efficiencies.
- Administer vaccinations, medications, and other health treatments as directed.
- Ensure pigs have access to adequate feed, air and water.
- Monitor feed intake and adjust feeding programs as necessary.
- Identify and report signs of illness or injury, following proper protocols for treatment.
- Assist with farrowing (birthing) and newborn piglet care, including feeding and processing.
- Assist in breeding activities, including artificial insemination and pregnancy checks.
- Monitor sows during gestation and farrowing to ensure a healthy process.
- Maintain clean and sanitary conditions in barns, pens, and other facilities.
- Operate and maintain equipment used in swine production.
- Maintain accurate records of animal health, treatments, and performance in a timely manner
- Communicate effectively with the employee and the farm management
- Follow animal welfare, biosecurity regulations and company policies.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- No experience required.
- Experience in animal husbandry or swine production is preferred but not required.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols.
Work Environment
- Exposure to loud noises, odors, and varying temperatures.
- Working with live animals in close quarters.
Physical Requirements
- Standing, walking, and ability to be on feet 8 to 10 hours per day
- Frequent bending, reaching, squatting, and kneeling
- Frequent use of one or both hands/arms to grasp or pull
- Frequent lifting of objects weighing 3-20 pounds
- Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or requiring up to 50 pounds of force to move
- Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 100 pounds or requiring up to 100 pounds of force to move with the assistance of another person as needed
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Must be able to print and/or write legibly
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays as needed
- Must have reliable method of transportation to get to work