Sanitation Worker

Role Overview

This position is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing hatchery areas and equipment at the Blairsville Hatchery in Blairsville, Georgia. The role sits at Job Grade 08, is classified as nonexempt, and reports to the Sr Supervisor Hatchery.

Schedule and Pay

The starting wage is $17.00 per hour, with extra shift differential available for evenings, nights, and weekends. The usual schedule averages about 40 hours per week, beginning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and may change based on production requirements. Work may also include Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and holidays until the work is complete. This is a 1st shift position in the United States of America.

Key Duties

• Sanitize hatchers, setters, trays, racks, buggies, and other hatchery equipment.
• Wash and disinfect hatchers and setters.
• Use both high-pressure and standard water hoses to clean hatchery equipment.
• Check and log temperatures in hatchers and setters.
• Keep foot pans and hand sanitizers maintained, run the macerator and tray washer, handle trays, set eggs, pull chicks, operate the chick counter, and pack or unpack eggs.
• Keep the work area tidy, organized, and ready for production.

Biosecurity and Animal Welfare

The facility operates as a biosecure site, so employees must shower and change clothes and footwear before entering. The company supplies the required clothing and footwear. Jewelry is not allowed on the jobsite except for medical ID jewelry, and body piercings must be covered by suitable clothing. The selected candidate must agree to avoid contact with avian species such as chickens, ducks, and other birds, and must follow the company's biosecurity and animal welfare standards.

Physical Requirements and Environment

Candidates must be able to perform the job's physical demands with or without reasonable accommodation. The role requires safe lifting methods, lifting and moving up to 50 lbs, pushing and pulling 500-1000 lbs, and overhead lifting. Employees work on wet and slippery surfaces every day and spend most of the shift standing on a concrete floor. The job also involves walking, sitting, using hands and fingers to handle tools or controls, reaching, balancing, stooping, bending, and speaking or hearing. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, along with the ability to adjust focus.

Tools, Chemicals, and PPE

A high-pressure hose is used in the role. The work environment may be hot, dry, dusty, wet, and cold. Common chemicals at the site include formaldehyde, disinfectants, lubricants, and Virocid. Required protective equipment includes safety glasses, safety goggles, a face shield, chemical gloves, a waterproof apron, and rubber boots when handling chemicals. Ear plugs and earmuffs may also be used as needed.

Requirements and Eligibility

Applicants should have at least 12 consecutive months of work history with one employer and no employment gaps longer than 6 months within the past 36 months. If the gap was due to layoff or child/elder care, the allowed gap may be extended to 18 months. This work-history requirement does not apply to candidates who have been full-time students continuously for the last 36 months. Previous agricultural or production experience is preferred. Candidates must live in the United States to be considered for an interview. Priority consideration is given to internal applicants first.

Rehire Rules

The minimum waiting period for rehire is 180 days. A person may be rehired no more than 3 times at Cobb or Tyson Foods.

Additional Information

The company notes that benefits begin on the first day of full-time hire. The role includes eligibility for overtime, paid vacations, paid holidays, and earned time off. The company also emphasizes that employees must follow all safety policies and procedures, including Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout, and personal protective equipment rules, and must identify and help reduce safety risks. Failure to meet job standards may result in progressive discipline up to termination. The employer is an equal opportunity employer. Some positions may require a background check after an offer is made. Hourly applicants must complete an additional task after submitting the application in order to be considered. Relocation assistance is not available. The notice also states that unsolicited recruitment vendor support is not accepted and that no fees will be paid for such referrals. Revised date: 8/28/2018 and 08/21/2024.

Benefits

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability; free telehealth services; free mental health services; well-being support programs; 401(k) and stock options; company-paid life insurance; free education starting day one for 175-degree programs; citizenship assistance; discounts on thousands of programs and services through Beneplace; Cobb Rewards; new hire referral and referral bonuses; paid vacations; paid holidays; overtime eligibility; and earned time off.