Production Worker -Farm Environment-Ft-Gentry Jr#44

About the Company

Pel-Freez is a company of dedicated life science professionals located in Rogers, Arkansas with farms in Gentry and Bentonville areas. Originally founded as a backyard rabbit farm by Herman Pelphrey in 1918, the company expanded into animal biologicals in response to the large volume of requests for materials from biomedical researchers in the 1950s, and has been serving the biomedical community ever since.

Over the past 70 years, Pel-Freez has further expanded its offerings to include a variety of animal tissues, extracts, and blood products as well as key human biologicals to support vaccine development and manufacturing, in vitro diagnostics and assays for coagulation, and a range of basic research including immunology, neuroscience, and more.

Position Summary:

Assist in the daily operations of the farms. Under the guidance of the Farm Supervisor, this position is expected to ensure team member's assigned daily tasks are completed and keep the Farm Supervisor informed of any daily updates or concerns. Ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of farm facilities. Maintain livestock production on a daily basis which includes raising animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of production.

Fundamental to all positions within Pel-Freez, LLC is the requirement to understand and promote the Quality System as part of the company's overall goal toward continual improvement through strict adherence to all company policies and procedures, as well as actively supporting and upholding the principals and values of the company.

 Essential Functions:

• Manually feed rabbits daily on a prescribed schedule
• Ensure rabbits have constant access to food and water
• Record mortality on a daily basis
• Identify sick or injured rabbits. Euthanize rabbits when necessary
• Be aware and knowledgeable of surroundings at all times in order to identify potential issues
• Preparation, placement, and maintenance of nest boxes
• Daily check of ventilation and lighting systems to ensure proper function
• Maintain USDA compliance
• Conduct maintenance on the house, cages, and watering system as needed
• Report any safety or quality concern related to team members, facilities, and equipment to the Farm Supervisor.
• Train and cross-train team members.
• Follow strict schedules to maintain livestock production and facility cleanliness
• Maintain high standards of animal welfare
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment
• Utilize proper biosecurity standards when entering and exiting houses
• Perform any other duties as assigned including:
  • Overall inspection and selection of BRC Rabbits
  • Participate in research trials or experiments
  • Weighing of rabbits
  • Transportation of rabbits
  • Daily records
• May Operate equipment to maintain grounds such as: tractors, mowers, weed eaters.
• Responsible for informing management of any potential process or documentation issues.
• Adhere to all departmental and company-wide policies and procedures including the Quality Systems and Safety programs.

 Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ability to work in a farm environment
• Ability to follow instructions and learn the production process including the completion of production paperwork
• Must complete and pass a Fitness Test provided by the company
• Ability to read, write and speak English sufficient to perform job duties and to interact and communicate with team members and supervision
• Basic plumbing skills preferred.
• Basic electrical skills preferred
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Degree in Biology or Animal Husbandry preferred

Experience:

Previous work experience in livestock production preferred

Specific Skills:

• Self-Motivated. Job requires that employees perform work with little or no supervision.
• Attention to Detail. Job Requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks including prioritizing tasks
• Cooperation. Job requires working or acting together as a member of a team for a common purpose or benefit.
• Dependability. Job requires having excellent attendance, being reliable, responsible, and fulfilling obligations.
• Flexibility. Job requires being adaptable, open to change, and comfortable with considerable variety in the workplace.
• Integrity. Job requires consistency of actions, methods, principles, expectations, and outcomes. Leading by example is essential in this position.
• Self-Control. Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior.

Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, etc.:

Supervisory Responsibility: None 

Working Conditions:

• The position requires that employees can tolerate rabbit fur and odor.
• Frequently exposed to noise, prolonged periods of standing and walking, pushing, carrying and lifting.
• Regular use of farm machines and equipment.
• Employees are exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, sometimes chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, wet or humid conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat.
• The position requires that the employee occasionally travels from one location to another up to 30-35 miles.
• Must be able to lift and move 50 lbs.
• Must wear required hearing and eye protection

 Salary based on experience. Minimum $15