Hog and Poultry Field Crew Member II

Position Summary

The Hog and Poultry Field Crew Member II is responsible for ensuring that White Oak Pastures’ hogs and poultry have consistent, reliable access to adequate feed and water, are checked daily, and uses their observations to identify, report, and solve problems. Animal husbandry and welfare are their primary concerns. 

This position requires much more than simply filling feeders. The Hog and Poultry Field Crew Member II must actively monitor animal behavior, feed consumption, water access, fencing, shade, wallows, and overall living conditions to ensure that every group of animals can access what they need to remain healthy.

The primary focus of this position is the well-being of White Oak Pastures’ hogs and poultry. The second focus is contributing to the health and stewardship of the farm’s land and animals as a whole.

This is a physically demanding field position requiring constant observation, good judgment, proactive communication, and a willingness to respond quickly when conditions change.

Primary Responsibilities

Feeding & Feed Management

• Prioritize feeding routes based on animal needs and current conditions
• Ensure animals that are out of feed receive priority attention
• Treat feeders that are less than 25% full as a priority
• Monitor feed consumption and adjust the number of feeders as needed
• Consider pig size and the number of animals in each group when evaluating feed needs
• Clean and unclog feeders as needed
• Ask the manager before filling a feeder if there is a possibility it will soon be moved
• Accurately record feed given and feed remaining in feeders using Google Sheets

Animal Health & Observation

• Actively observe animals while feeding and report concerns promptly
• Monitor for mortality and report it appropriately
• Watch for pregnant hogs and communicate their status as needed
• Look for feral pigs within animal sets and report their presence
• Identify groups of animals that need to be moved and communicate this to the manager
• Monitor animal behavior and feed competition to ensure all animals have adequate access to feed and water
• Maintain a high level of awareness and avoid complacency

Water, Shade & Wallow Management

• Check waterers regularly and correct problems such as knocked-over waterers
• Remove buildup from waterers
• Monitor whether animals have adequate access to water
• Assess whether additional shade or wallows are needed
• Turn wallows on/off when appropriate
• Monitor overall hub conditions to ensure animals can easily access both feed and water

Fencing & Hub Management

• Monitor polywire condition and repair or report problems
• Edit polywire as needed in preparation for cattle entering hog pasture
• Monitor hub integrity and identify issues before they become larger problems
• Manage and monitor fence energizer boxes
• Identify non-functioning energizer boxes and communicate or address the issue as appropriate
• Record fence charge using Google Sheets
• Ensure animals can safely remain within their designated areas and have access to feed and water

Communication & Record Keeping

• Provide an end-of-day update to the manager
• Maintain active communication through the department’s designated group communication system 
• Accurately record feed provided, feed remaining, and fence charge
• Communicate problems, animal observations, and changing conditions promptly
• Ask questions when clarification is needed rather than making assumptions that could affect animal care or feed management

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability to work effectively and proactively with a variety of personalities
• Ability to work calmly, respectfully, and safely with animals
• Strong observation and communication skills
• Ability to recognize changing animal and environmental conditions and respond appropriately
• Ability to work as part of a team and assist in other areas of the farm as needed
• Basic math skills for record keeping and data analysis
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment
• Basic computer literacy and familiarity with Google Sheets
• Access to a cell phone
• Ability to communicate effectively in English
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass a drug test
• Proven ability to learn and perform job duties
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude through stressful situations and long hours
• Flexibility and willingness to change priorities as needed
• Ability to be redirected to meet the changing needs of the business
• The ideal candidate brings curiosity, new ideas, and a willingness to solve problems rather than simply work around them. 
• No complacency. Feeding is an active animal-care position. The job requires paying attention to what is happening in each set and taking action when something changes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical knowledge or experience with farm equipment maintenance and repairs
• Ability to troubleshoot basic equipment issues and communicate problems clearly to the manager or farm mechanic
• Experience with animal husbandry

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is physically demanding, outdoor field work. Employees work in hot, cold, rainy, muddy, and otherwise changing weather conditions. Farm trucks do not have air conditioning.

The position requires the ability to repeatedly:

• Bend, reach, squat, stoop, and kneel
• Lift 100+ pounds
• Hammer and pound fence posts into hard ground
• Walk long distances and occasionally run through rough terrain, including pastures and dense wooded areas
• Get in and out of heavy equipment
• Handle large pigs in working pens and trailers
• Safely catch and hold piglets and poultry
• Work for extended periods while bending, including collecting eggs and cleaning nesting boxes
• Work around mud and regular contact with livestock bodily fluids, including manure, blood, and urine

The successful candidate will understand that feeding is not a routine task to be completed on autopilot. It is an ongoing process of observing, assessing, communicating, and responding to the needs of the animals and the farm.