Poultry Production Assistant
Job ID 1330
Description
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
About Heifer International
In 1944, Heifer International’s founder, Dan West, began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.
He had seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges.
Today, Heifer International has operations in 19 countries around the world, working alongside local farmers, business owners and their communities, as they mobilize and envision their futures. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.
To date, we have supported more than 42 million farming families across Africa, Asia and the Americas and in the past five years alone, we have worked alongside 2.7 million families to close the living income gap or set them on a path to doing so. Between now and 2030, we will support an additional 10 million people to reach a living income by scaling up our signature programs. To achieve this, Heifer International relies on its passionate, committed and highly skilled staff.
ROLE FUNCTION
Heifer USA works with small-scale farmers to help them transform their communities. The Poultry Production Assistant will support the poultry enterprises at Heifer Ranch with an emphasis on daily chores, overnight checks, and weekend work. Applicants must be available to work some weekends, nights, and overtime as needed & live in commutable distance to the Heifer Ranch.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS
Honest, Strong work ethic, Reliable, Enthusiastic, Commitment to learning and performance, Self-starter, Proactive, “Whatever it takes” mentality, Attention to detail, Punctual, Passion for farming and food justice issues, Organized, Flexible, and Thrives in a culturally diverse environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Chicken/Turkey Care (90%)
Complete daily poultry chores:
- Moving schooners
- Feeding/watering
- Setting up paddock fencing
- Preparing brooders for new chicks and poults
- Moving poultry out to pasture
- Preparing for chicken and turkey load out
- Load out labor for chickens and turkeys
- Schooner and brooder maintenance
- Ensure the poultry enterprises are taken care of in the absence of the poultry specialist
- General record keeping
- Complete tasks as assigned at the poultry specialist’s direction
- Must show up on time and complete task with minimal supervision
- Must be physically able to lift 50 lbs. for extended periods of time
- Adhere to animal welfare standards
- Safely operate tools and equipment
- Operate poultry house environmental controllers
May perform other job-related duties as assigned (10%)
- Must be willing and able to step in and assist in any Ranch enterprise as directed
- Supporting the Heifer U.S.A team with ranch events
Minimum Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Must be of legal working age
- Be in good physical condition and able to lift ~50 lbs. repeatedly
- Must have reliable transportation to and from work
- Must have a valid drivers’ license
- Have a reliable point of communication such as a cell phone
- Able to work in various weather conditions (ie. Heat, cold, rain)
- Have a positive attitude
- Able to work after hours, weekends, overnights, and holidays as needed.
Preferred Requirements:
- Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agri-business, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, or related field.
- General knowledge of pasture raised poultry, sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and livestock welfare.
- Experience working with poultry.
Most Critical Proficiencies:
- Reliable. Excellent work ethic. Passion for livestock and Regenerative Agriculture.
- Ability to collaborate with other ranch staff & Heifer teams.
- Commitment to learning and performance.
- Self-starter, Proactive, “Whatever it takes” mentality.
- Attention to detail, Punctual, Passion for farming and food justice issues, Organized, Flexible, and Thrives in a culturally diverse environment.
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:
- Must be physically able to complete a wide variety of manual, ranch tasks such as carrying 5-gallon feed buckets repetitively, machinery operation, truck and trailer operation, electric fence troubleshooting and repair, and hose repair.
- Ability to lift ~50 lbs. or more.
- Able to work in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
- Live on Ranch (if housing is available) or within 20 miles.
- Ability to take direction and execute tasks as directed.
- Must be highly organized.
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
Salary Information:
- The salary for this role is $45,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on the experience and competency level of the candidate.
What We Offer:
- Heifer International offers a variety of benefits for U.S. based employees working 30 or more hours per week.
- Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account
- Employee assistance program
- 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match +3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution)
- 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year
- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
- Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities
- Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan and pet protection
- And more!
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.