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Position Overview & Responsibilities: Critical to the success of all research trials, this position has immediate responsibility for the care of the animals in Christensen Farms research nursery. Research and development is a critical area of the Christensen Farms organization in our continuous strive for excellence.

The swine research specialist will have the opportunity to work closely with other specialists and the research site manager at Christensen Farm’s research nursery located in Southcentral Minnesota. The site capacity is 7,000 head with 4 rooms and state-of-the-art technology and research capabilities. The site has the ability to remotely mix and deliver feed of any quantity, from any bin, to any pen in the barn. The research facilities have capabilities to weigh pigs individually and by large groups/pens. All of these key features allow us to evaluate the effect of the environment, water treatments, and nutrition on Christensen Farms’ pigs.

The duties of this job require a high degree of skill in animal care, animal handling, and accuracy of work. Motivation, attention to detail, and a self-disciplined approach are necessities for successful job performance.

Major Areas of Accountability:

Animal Care

• Responsible for the care of the animals in the research site(s), including, but not limited to: Daily observations, individual treatment plans, feeder management, environmental management, and recording data
• Perform individual daily pig evaluation and determine treatment plan as needed
• Responsible and appropriate use of medications for disease treatment
• Pull pigs from the general population into pull pens for recovery
• Timely euthanasia and dead removal
• Ensure pigs have adequate feed, clean water, and appropriate ventilation at all times
• Monitor and adjust ventilation as needed
• Laundry and site cleanliness
• Loading and unloading pigs for transport
• Barn preparation for new groups of pigs
• Work closely and communicate frequently with the research site manger to ensure the research sites have exceptional pig care and high caliber research data
• Keeping the research site manager informed on a timely basis in regards to scheduling, issues, time frames, commitments, production and human resource issues
• Willingness to support other needs of the department, including both field trials and labor needs at the other research sites
• Upholding company image and promoting it inside and outside the organization
• Supporting and promoting company policies, procedures, and values.

Research

• Collect data in an organized, detailed, and accurate manner
• Record any animal movements within the research sites by individual ID
• Record individual treatments
• Record scour score by pen, when required
• Record residual (overflow) feed daily
• Input collected information into Excel
• Assist the research site manager with research processes that include, but are not limited to: Setting up trials, counting pigs, weighing pigs, and sorting pigs
• Provide additional support on an as needed basis to other research activities outside of research sites
• Report events that deviate from normal operation and may affect results to research staff

Administrative

• Provides accurate and timely correspondence as required by the research barn manager or service manager

Supervision of Others:

• Direct: None
• Indirect: None

Reports to:

• Research Site Manager

Education, Training, and Experience Requirements:

Education: Advanced education preferred

Experience: Previous swine or livestock production experience preferred.

Specialized Training Requirements: Basic computer proficiency, especially in Microsoft Excel. Proficiency in reading and writing in English required.

Other Technical Skills required: none

Physical Requirements:

Rare, 0-5% Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.

Occasional, 6-33% Bending or stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.

Occasional, 6-33% Kneeling or squatting.

Rae, 0-5% Overhead reaching.

Unlimited, 67-100% Standing, particularly for sustained periods of time.

Rare, 0-5% Sitting, Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Unlimited, 67-100% Walking.

Rare, 0-5% Pushing and pulling.

Frequent, 34-66% Medium lifting: Lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Frequent, 34-66% Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

Frequent, 34-66% Motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers (i.e. typing, grasping, or gripping).

The worker is required to have the visual ability to perform an activity such as: preparing and entering data; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

Specialized or Motorized Equipment and/or Tools:

This position may require operating a company vehicle, or receiving regular mileage reimbursement. Any offer for this position will be contingent upon the review of the candidate’s motor vehicle record (MVR). The MVR will be reviewed to determine insurability based on CF’s insurance carrier and company policy.

Vehicle Licensing Requirement: Class D

Environmental Working Conditions:

Frequent, 34-66% Subjected to environmental conditions. Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Occasional, 6-33% Subjected to outside environmental conditions. No effective protection from the weather.

Rare, 0-5% Subjected to extreme cold. Temperatures typically below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for periods of more than one hour.

Occasional, 6-33% Subjected to extreme heat. Temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for periods of no more than one hour.

Frequent, 34-66% Subject to noise. There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

None Subjected to vibration. Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

Rare, 0-5% Subjected to hazards. Includes a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

Unlimited, 67-100% One or more of the following conditions that affects the respiratory system of the skin: fumes, odors, dust, mists, or gases.

Occasional, 6-33% Subjected to common allergens including: penicillin, latex, and/or dust.

Rare, 0-5% None. The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work.)

This job description is not intended to limit the responsibilities of an employee assigned to this position to those duties listed above. The employee is expected to follow any other instructions and perform any other duties requested by the immediate supervisor or company management. The level of involvement may vary based on company and individual capabilities.