About us

Longenecker's Hatchery is a regional supplier of high-quality broiler chicks and broiler hatching eggs. We exist to deliver excellence and the opportunity for continuous growth.

Position Summary

Responsible for engaging contract farmers, partnering with them to manage designated broiler breeder chicken flocks in central PA. Responsible for adhering to our core values and for carrying our core purpose to the farm, delivering excellence and the opportunity for continuous growth:

• to our farmers… in engagement, expectations, tools and accountability
• to our chicks and birds… in maintained standards for poultry management and welfare

​This includes performing all activities necessary for establishing and maintaining high productivity in the assigned poultry flocks.

​

Hours and Schedule

Monday through Friday (very occasional weekend availability required)​

The typical shift is 9 hours but can range from 6 to 12.

The typical start is 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM, depending on drive time, but can range from 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

Self-discipline and strong personal accountability are required to plan your own schedule. Your presence is essential at internal meetings and at the farms.

​Qualifications and Skills

• an animal husbandry background is preferred
• a strong agriculture background or desire preferred
• completion of a 2 or 4 year Animal Science or related degree preferred
• strong personal integrity
• self-motivated to be efficient, resourceful, detail-oriented
• strong commitment to teamwork
• excellent communicator with leadership skills
• able to give clear, concise directions
• excellent follow up and follow through
• able to problem solve and prioritize for completion of workload in a timely manner

​​Responsibilities

• travel weekly to an established route of flocks (subject to change)
• interact daily with farmers, managers, and a team of other service technicians
• empower our contract farmers to achieve mutually beneficial results by following our standard operating procedures

​​​Salary

Starting at $61,000/year and substantially more with experience.

Essential Job Functions

• Fluent in English
• Adaptability
• Positive attitude
• Hunger to learn continuously
• Reliable and consistent attendance
• Reliable transportation
• Clean driving history
• Safe and defensive driving
• Ability to work under pressure
• Consistently legible handwriting
• Ability to work well both with others and independently
• Ability to learn safety guidelines and follow them
• Ability to see the big picture and to appreciate our overall system of business involving coworkers, vendors, contract farmers, and customers
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work in various environments (cold, hot, dusty, wet)
• Mostly indoor work with some outdoor work
• Ability to work while standing, squatting, kneeling and sitting
• Ability to learn SOPs and follow them while using practical judgement
• Ability to learn safety guidelines and follow them
• Ability to do arithmetic
• Ability to use spreadsheets
• Comfortable using computers, tablets, and smartphones
• Other duties as assigned

​​​Detailed Duties

• Coordinate duties, processes, activities related to the assigned flocks:
• calculate feeding program amounts and weighs birds
• coordinate or perform blood testing of flocks
• schedule field vaccinations of the birds
• coordinate the movement of birds, delivery of propane and shavings
• record flock data into data bases accurately
• engage in weekly meetings to review flocks’ performance
• attend meetings and training sessions to improve knowledge base
• Field duties and responsibilities:
• perform field vaccinations and/or administer medications
• weigh, handles pullets, hens and males
• communicate with farmers and crew in order to optimize flock performance
• become familiar with breed poultry quality programs such as NPIP
• perform all operations following biosecurity procedures
• troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment
• perform all work with a high level of animal welfare standards

​​Excellent Benefits at 30 Days

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $61,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• How did you hear about us?
• How soon are you available to start?
• We have preemployment drug testing. Will that be an issue for you?
• Are you 18 years of age or older?
• Do you have any misdemeanors or felonies in the last 7 years?
• Are you currently employed?
• Are there any poultry, pet birds, or pigs on the property where you live?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Animal husbandry: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Elizabethtown, PA 17022: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person