Wean Pig Specialist (Central IA - Iowa Falls, IA) Job Listing at Iowa Select Farms in Centralia, IA (Job ID 668207)

Description

IOWA SELECT FARMS JOB DESCRIPTION 

TITLE: Wean Pig Specialist

REPORTS TO: Wean-to-Finish Lead

LAST REVISION DATE: 09/02/2026

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Wean Pig Specialist is responsible for applying standardized animal-science, nutrition, environmental-management, and production protocols to newly weaned pigs during the critical post-weaning period. 

The position evaluates feed and water intake, feeding behavior, environmental conditions, pig performance, and production responses to identify opportunities to improve early pig growth, health, welfare, and consistency.

The position collects and evaluates production observations and data, implements approved nutrition and management protocols, documents outcomes, and communicates findings and recommendations to Wean-to-Finish leadership and appropriate technical teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• NUTRITION, FEED INTAKE, AND EARLY PIG DEVELOPMENT

• Implement and evaluate approved feeding strategies designed to stimulate feed and water intake and support growth and development of newly weaned pigs.
• Prepare and provide gruel four times per day during the first seven days after placement according to approved feed-to-water ratios, quantities, frequency, and presentation standards.
• Evaluate pig response to gruel feeding by observing consumption, feeding behavior, competition, residual feed, and consistency of intake, and document deviations from expected response.
• Calculate and document feed and water quantities used in gruel preparation and evaluate consumption relative to pig inventory, age, and expected intake.
• Provide mat feed according to approved protocols and evaluate pig response to mat feeding, including utilization, consumption, waste, and transition to conventional feeder intake.
• Evaluate feeder settings, feed presentation, feed availability, and evidence of feed wastage and make approved adjustments to improve feed accessibility and utilization.
• Observe variation in pig size, body condition, feeding behavior, and early growth and identify pigs or groups requiring additional nutritional or management intervention.
• Compare observed feeding response and intake patterns with established company targets and communicate findings that may indicate opportunities to improve feeding protocols or management practices.

• WATER INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT

• Measure and document water-flow rates using approved testing procedures and compare results with established targets for newly weaned pigs.
• Evaluate water availability, accessibility, flow rate, drinker function, and pig drinking behavior as factors affecting feed intake, hydration, and early growth.
• Identify relationships between water availability and observed feed consumption, pig behavior, hydration, or performance and recommend or implement approved corrective actions.
• Evaluate the interaction between water and feed during gruel preparation to maintain approved consistency and feed-to-water ratios and promote consumption while minimizing waste.

• PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL-SCIENCE ASSESSMENT

• Collect and evaluate observations and production information related to feed intake, water availability, pig behavior, environmental conditions, health observations, mortality, and early growth.
• Analyze site and pen-level observations to identify trends or deviations that may affect pig performance during the post-weaning period.
• Evaluate the effects of feeding practices, water availability, stocking conditions, feeder access, environmental conditions, and management practices on early pig performance.
• Compare observed outcomes across placements, sites, pens, or management practices to identify opportunities for improved consistency and production performance.
• Participate in evaluations of approved feeding, watering, housing, and management practices and document observations and outcomes for review by Wean-to-Finish leadership and technical teams.
• Provide field observations and production data to support continuous improvement of company feeding, watering, environmental, and newly weaned pig-management protocols.
• Prepare written summaries of findings, deviations, corrective actions, and recommendations related to nutrition, water, environment, and early pig performance.

• ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL PERFORMANCE

• Evaluate room temperature, ventilation settings, air movement, brooder operation, pig behavior, and environmental conditions and assess their relationship to pig comfort, feed intake, water intake, and performance.
• Complete and document standardized ventilation assessments and compare observed conditions with established environmental targets.
• Use pig behavior and distribution as indicators of thermal comfort and environmental suitability and make approved adjustments or escalate deviations as appropriate.
• Evaluate interactions among temperature, ventilation, water availability, feed intake, and pig behavior when troubleshooting performance concerns.
• Confirm brooder and heater functionality and manage brooders and mats according to established environmental and animal-care protocols.

• PIG RECEIVING, SELECTION, AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING

• Receive newly weaned pigs using approved animal-handling and biosecurity procedures and evaluate pig condition, size variation, behavior, and readiness for placement.
• Sort and pen pigs according to approved placement strategies designed to promote appropriate access to feed, water, environmental resources, and care.
• Identify pigs demonstrating reduced feed intake, poor competition, abnormal behavior, or other indicators requiring additional observation or intervention.
• Count pigs received, reconcile discrepancies, complete required receiving documentation, and enter and verify receiving information in iSlat.
• Complete the wean pig feedback form and document relevant observations regarding pig quality, uniformity, health, behavior, and placement conditions.

• APPLIED PROBLEM SOLVING AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

• Apply approved animal-science and production principles when troubleshooting feed, water, environmental, and early-growth concerns.
• Identify potential causes of deviations in feed intake, water intake, pig behavior, or early performance and implement approved corrective actions within the scope of the position.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of corrective actions by observing subsequent pig response and documenting whether expected conditions or performance were restored.
• Identify recurring feed, water, environmental, equipment, or management issues and communicate trends and potential process improvements to Wean-to-Finish leadership.
• Participate in continuous-improvement activities designed to improve feeding practices, water delivery, environmental management, pig comfort, early growth, and production consistency.

• COMMUNICATION, TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION, AND COMPLIANCE

• Maintain accurate records of feed and water observations, environmental assessments, pig-performance observations, corrective actions, and unresolved concerns.
• Submit a daily technical summary identifying observations, deviations from established targets, corrective actions taken, pig response, unresolved concerns, and items requiring additional technical review.
• Communicate findings and trends to Wean-to-Finish leadership and other appropriate technical personnel to support decisions regarding nutrition, environment, animal care, and production practices.
• Use iSlat and other company mobile or computer-based systems to record, retrieve, and evaluate production information.
• Follow established animal-wellbeing, veterinary, nutrition, biosecurity, safety, recordkeeping, and site-access protocols.

COMPANY VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS:

• We believe in doing the right thing every day, operating with character and integrity, and being stewards of our resource by committing to:
  • Our Animals 
  • Our People
  • Our Environment
  • Our Community
• The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We expect all leaders, managers, and employees to demonstrate, foster and promote: 
  • Respect: We treat people with respect regardless of personal opinions or differing backgrounds, and no one within the organization is more or less important than anyone else
  • Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for completing our job responsibilities and following through on our commitments. We encompass our ability to recognize our own strengths and areas for improvement as well as accept responsibility for the performance and actions of ourselves and our teams without blaming others.
  • Good Decision-Making: We are expected to continuously improve processes, attain results, and create efficiencies to achieve our mission while solving problems based on a combination of factual information, analysis, wisdom, and experience.
  • Flexibility: We must react to changing circumstances, ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence, openness, positive energy, and optimism. 

• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms bio-security policy at all times which includes reporting any violations or concerns to management team
• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policy at all times and partner with the Health and Care team in a timely manner if an incident occurs 
• Compliance with Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures 
• To maintain biosecurity standards, employees working on a farm are prohibited from cohabitating with employees from other production departments or support teams that access farms other than those assigned to their department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is performed indoors and outdoors.
• The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibrations. 
• The environment you will be working in may have nuisance levels of gases and dust, particularly in the winter months

PHYSICALITY REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
• Ability to read and write. 
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds along with climbing up ladders and over gates.
• The employee must be able to continuously repeat necessary movements such as bending, lifting and different hand movements as needed to complete tasks.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is an on-site position requiring all daily job duties to be performed in person at designated Iowa Select Farms locations, including office, warehouse, and farm sites, based on business needs and company policy.
• This is a full-time position that will typically require at least 40 hours a week. 
• Additional availability may be required during staffing challenges. 
• Weekend and holiday rotations are a requirement.
• Occasional evening hours and weekend work may be required as the job duties demand. 

TRAVEL

• Regular travel between assigned farm sites is required. Occasional additional travel may be required based on placement schedules and business needs.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Previous livestock or animal-care experience is preferred; the ability to follow written protocols, accurately count pigs, use mobile or computer-based record systems, and communicate clearly is required.
• Bilingual fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is preferred.

OTHER DUTIES

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed at any time with or without notice.