Elkmont & Athens Farm Clean Out Associate

Job Description Summary:
The Clean-Out Crew Member is responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, and preparing poultry houses, equipment, and assigned areas in accordance with established Aviagen sanitation and biosecurity standards. This position performs a variety of hands-on agricultural duties associated with poultry house clean-out, including removing litter and debris, preparing and moving equipment, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, and assisting equipment operators as needed.

This position plays an important role in maintaining a clean and biosecure environment between flocks and supporting the health, welfare, and productivity of Aviagen poultry operations. Work is performed in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), safety requirements, biosecurity protocols, animal welfare standards, and company policies.
Job Description:

- Follow all established sanitation, biosecurity, safety, and animal welfare procedures while performing assigned duties.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), and supervisor direction to ensure cleaning and sanitation activities are completed properly and consistently.
- Prepare poultry houses and designated areas for scheduled clean-out and sanitation activities.
- Empty and clean feeders and other poultry house equipment as required.
- Remove litter, bedding, debris, waste materials, and other materials from poultry houses and assigned work areas.
- Strip poultry houses of litter and prepare floors and surfaces for cleaning and sanitation.
- Scrape and clean concrete floors, walls, slats, and other surfaces to remove accumulated material.
- Raise, lower, remove, disassemble, reposition, and reinstall poultry house equipment as necessary to complete cleaning and sanitation activities.
- Open and close poultry house doors and access points as necessary to support clean-out operations.
- Clean and sanitize floors, walls, slats, equipment, machinery, and other designated surfaces using approved methods and chemicals in accordance with established procedures.
- Properly mix, handle, apply, and store approved detergents, disinfectants, sanitizers, and other cleaning products according to company procedures, product instructions, and safety requirements.
- Assist with pressure washing, spraying, sweeping, scraping, shoveling, and other cleaning activities as assigned.
- Assist equipment operators and other crew members with poultry house clean-out and preparation activities.
- Inspect cleaned areas and report incomplete sanitation, damaged equipment, maintenance concerns, pest activity, or other conditions requiring attention to the supervisor.
- Properly use, clean, inspect, and store tools and equipment assigned to the clean-out crew.
- Follow required procedures for the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals, operating equipment, or working in designated areas.
- Maintain clean and organized work areas and appropriately dispose of waste and cleaning materials.
- Follow established procedures designed to prevent cross-contamination between poultry houses, farms, and other operational areas.
- Support farm and production activities in other departments or locations when operational needs require.
- Communicate effectively and work cooperatively with supervisors, equipment operators, coworkers, and other farm personnel.
- Promptly report safety hazards, chemical spills, equipment concerns, biosecurity issues, or other unusual conditions to the appropriate supervisor.
- Perform other agricultural, sanitation, and operational duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

- Previous agricultural, poultry, farm, sanitation, general labor, or related experience preferred but not required.
- Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions, SOPs, Work Instructions, safety requirements, and biosecurity procedures.
- Ability to safely work with approved detergents, disinfectants, sanitizers, and other cleaning chemicals.
- Ability to properly use hand tools and cleaning equipment associated with poultry house sanitation and clean-out activities.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Dependable attendance and demonstrated ability to report to work as scheduled.
- Strong sense of personal responsibility and commitment to completing assigned work thoroughly and safely.
- Ability to recognize and report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, sanitation concerns, or biosecurity issues.
- Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and up to six days per week when required by operational schedules.
- Ability and willingness to work at different poultry houses, farms, or operational areas as assigned.
- Ability to comply with all company safety, sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare requirements.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

- Work is performed primarily in an agricultural poultry environment and may include both indoor and outdoor activities.
- Regular exposure to dust, dirt, litter, feathers, poultry-related odors, cleaning chemicals, insects, pests, wildlife, and changing environmental conditions.
- Work may involve wet, muddy, hot, cold, humid, or dusty conditions depending on the season and assigned activity.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
- Ability to frequently bend, stoop, squat, reach, grip, grasp, twist, push, and pull while performing assigned duties.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to perform repetitive physical activities associated with scraping, shoveling, cleaning, pressure washing, and moving equipment.
- Ability to safely work around agricultural equipment, machinery, vehicles, and poultry house systems.
- Routine work in and around poultry and poultry facilities.
- Required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow all applicable chemical-handling, safety, sanitation, and biosecurity requirements.

Safety, Biosecurity, and Animal Welfare

All employees are expected to perform their responsibilities in accordance with Aviagen safety, biosecurity, sanitation, animal welfare, and operational standards. Employees are responsible for following established procedures designed to protect employees, poultry, facilities, and the integrity of Aviagen operations.

The Clean-Out Crew Member has a particular responsibility to follow established sanitation and biosecurity procedures because effective poultry house cleaning and disinfection are critical components of disease prevention and flock health. Any sanitation deficiencies, biosecurity concerns, equipment damage, safety hazards, or unusual conditions must be promptly reported to the appropriate supervisor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aviagen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.