Technical Support Specialist

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Your Opportunity

Salary Range: $43,500 - $63,80

With the advent of genomic enhanced selection and increased computational capacity, SPG's selection objectives have evolved to include traits that require intense detailed data capture. Quality phenotypes are essential for a successful genetic program and rate of improvement compromised in their absence. The Technical Support Specialist position is thus designed to serve as the bridge between daily pig care and corresponding data capture practices. The individual in this role will provide on-farm technical support to numerous sites to address opportunities that undermine the genetic program. Responsibilities include implementing, oversight, training, and participating in data capture according to standard operating procedures. Furthermore, this position will monitor reports to prioritize activities, provide leadership for technical initiatives, and ensure overall compliance to deliver accurate data efficiently, timely, and consistently within and across locations.

Core Responsibilities

• Follows the safety requirements of the Smithfield Injury Prevention System (SIPS)

• Learns, understands, and implements all policies and procedures that relate to biosecurity

• Abides by all company policies, procedures and guidelines as directed by SPG leadership

• Participates in trainings pertaining to safety, environmental, animal care and bio-security policies

• Flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of SPG leadership

• Provides basic troubleshooting assistance for data capture problems to minimize downtime

• Maintains technical equipment through routine servicing

• Assists in maintaining on-farm technical supplies

• Maintains farm computers (i.e. updates, cleaning)

• Interfaces with IT regarding computer and internet problems

• Develops proficiency in adopted SOPs

• Ensures compliance in data capture practices

• Trains farm staff to proper techniques

• Participates routinely in all data collection processes

• Serves on protocol committee

• Writes service reports and other documentation as requested

• Monitors available apps and reports regarding data capture to identify opportunities

• Maintains data correction, technical support, and SOP training logs

• Ensures accuracy of on and off-test procedures

• Selects designated replacement animals following adopted guidelines

• Aides in identification and organization of breeding stock loads

• Provides leadership in special data collection projects

• Communicates opportunities and deviations from expectations to appropriate sources

• Collaborates with farm leadership to develop and optimize schedules pertaining to data capture and submission

• Manages and improves vaccination program

• Participates in production practices as available

• Follows the Company's animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal's needs, providing access to adequate water and high-quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia

• Responsible for compliance with all environmental laws and procedures

• Reports all environmental issues immediately to supervisor

• Reads and understands the company's emergency notification process and how it applies to their specific worksite

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required

• Knowledge of sound research methodology, data capture techniques, and protocol implementation beneficial

• Previous swine production experience helpful

• Ability to author reports, review KPIs, identify opportunities, and prioritize activities

• Aptitude for operating and servicing data capture equipment

• Ability to do physical labor

• Capacity to work well collaboratively and independently

• Driven, organized, and detailed oriented

• Strong commitment to teamwork.

• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility

• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.

• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.

• Must be on call to work in emergency situations to include but not limited to, power outages or personnel shortages.

• Must be supportive of the mission of raising swine for human consumption of high quality pork products.

• Must be able to tolerate and willing to learn and perform the following tasks: euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, piglet processing, ear tagging for identification, taking blood samples and other procedures normal to animal husbandry.

• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).

• Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

EEO/AA Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.