Weekend Science Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Description

Position Overview:
This role is designed for qualified TN Visa professionals from Mexico or Canada who are passionate about animal care, nutrition, production efficiency, leadership development, and advancing modern agriculture practices.

The Animal Scientist will work closely with farm leadership and production teams to support animal health, welfare, nutrition programs, feed management, and operational success across our production system. This position reports to the Department Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

• Monitor animal health, welfare, and production performance within company farms
• Being actively involved in all sections of the sow farm including all areas of breeding and farrowing, management of employees, understanding of barn operations and coordinates a backup for finishing site as needed.
•  Ensuring all animals are receiving proper feed, water, and ventilation
• Complete and assist with daily laundry duties, including washing, drying, and folding clothes for farm.
• Complete basic cleaning duties for offices, shower rooms, bathrooms, and supply rooms to maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Shipping and receiving animals
• Treating animals
• Heat checking and breeding sows and gilts via artificial insemination
• Assisting with the birthing process of sows and gilts including sleeving 
• Caring for piglets and ensuring they are off to a good start
• Moving animals with a sort board
• Cleaning facilities including power-washing, disinfecting, scraping manure, picking up cleanings, and removing deceased animals 
• Weaning piglets from their mothers and giving wean shots
• Processing piglets including castration, docking tails, tattooing, and giving injections
• Following the proper steps for timely euthanasia
• Pen management, culling, sorting 
• Ensure operational aspects of farm are taken care of appropriately including making sure equipment is functioning properly, feed systems and feed quality are monitored, and maintenance and repairs and completed.   
• Support nutrition and feed management programs to optimize animal performance and efficiency
• Analyze feed intake, growth performance, and  production data to identify improvement opportunities
• Assist with feed quality control, feed delivery processes, and nutritional program implementation
• Support breeding, nutrition, and herd management programs
• Collaborate with veterinarians, nutritionists, and farm leadership teams to improve production outcomes
• Provide training and support to employees on animal care standards, feeding protocols, and best practices
• Participate in leadership development initiatives and continuous improvement projects
• Maintain accurate records and reports related to production, feed performance, and animal health
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements
• Understand & follow WFR's biosecurity protocol, must shower in and out of the facility
• Understand & follow WFR's animal welfare policy
• Understand & follow WFR's handbook and procedures
• Work respectfully with a diverse team of 5-18 employees 
• Maintain PQA+ certification 

Reasonable Accommodations Statement: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.  

Requirements

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in animal science, Animal Nutrition, or related agricultural field

Qualifications

• Eligible for TN Visa status under the Animal Scientist profession classification
• Citizen of Mexico or Canada
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Passion for animal agriculture and employee development
• Willingness to travel between locations as needed
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. 
• Ability to stand, walk and be on feet for 8 to 10 hours a day
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, squat & kneel
• Capable to do repeated actions
• Effectively communicate with team members 

Work Environment 

• Schedule: Must work full-time, a minimum of 80 hours each pay period. Hours are set by the manager. Rotating weekends and holiday schedule are required. Additional hours may be available. Employees are expected to be punctual and reliable to hours set.
• Environment: indoors and outdoors, dusty environments, hog farm. Nosie level is usually moderate to loud. 

Travel: Requirements are limited. May have to travel occasionally for meetings, supplies, etc