Posted by A hands-on agricultural opportunity is available in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, for individuals interested in working with poultry production and farm operations. Tyson Foods, through its Cobb business, is hiring a Poultry Selection Worker for a full-time first-shift position paying $17 per hour, with additional shift differentials available for qualifying evening, night and weekend work.
This role is part of the poultry selection process, where workers help evaluate and move birds at approximately four to six weeks of age. The position combines animal handling, equipment setup, bird movement, data-based selection and strict biosecurity procedures.
The job may appeal to candidates with agricultural or production experience, although the employer also has specific work-history requirements that applicants must meet. It is important to note that applicants must currently reside in the United States, and the employer does not offer relocation assistance for this position.
Poultry Selection Worker Job Overview
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Poultry Selection Worker |
| Company | Tyson Foods / Cobb |
| Location | Spavinaw, Oklahoma |
| Employment Type | Full-time |
| Shift | 1st Shift |
| Schedule | Monday–Thursday |
| Hours | 5:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Starting Pay | $17.00 per hour |
| Shift Differential | Available for evenings, nights and weekends |
| Experience | Agricultural or production experience preferred |
| Relocation Assistance | Not available |
| U.S. Residency | Required for consideration |
About the Poultry Selection Worker Position
The Poultry Selection Worker plays an important role in Cobb’s poultry production operations. Workers assist with the selection and movement of birds based on their physical characteristics, conformation and family information provided through a tablet.
The position involves working directly around poultry and requires employees to follow detailed animal welfare, safety and biosecurity procedures.
The main responsibilities include:
- Selecting and moving birds.
- Transferring and identifying the sex of birds.
- Moving birds between houses and within poultry houses.
- Assembling and preparing equipment.
- Stacking and moving bird coops.
- Scanning wing-band numbers.
- Assisting with bird audits.
- Setting up equipment and work areas before selection activities.
- Helping with catching and handling birds.
- Preparing coop labels.
- Setting up scales, scanners, lights and catch frames.
- Following company animal welfare procedures.
- Properly handling weak, ill or injured birds according to company policy.
Working Schedule
The position is assigned to the first shift.
The advertised regular schedule is:
- Monday through Thursday
- 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Approximately four working days per week
- Schedule may change according to production requirements
- Holidays may be included
Candidates should be comfortable starting work early in the morning and adjusting their schedules when production needs change.
Starting Pay: $17 Per Hour
The starting wage for the position is $17.00 per hour.
Additional shift differentials may be available for employees working qualifying evening, night or weekend shifts.
The employer also states that the position may be eligible for:
- Overtime.
- Paid vacation.
- Paid holidays.
- Earned time off.
- Referral bonuses.
- New-hire referral incentives.
- Cobb Rewards.
Actual earnings can vary depending on applicable differentials, overtime and eligibility.
Benefits Available From Day One
One of the notable features of this full-time position is that eligible employees can access the company’s benefits package from the first day of full-time employment.
Benefits listed by the employer include:
- Health insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Short-term disability.
- Long-term disability.
- Company-paid life insurance.
- 401(k).
- Stock options.
- Paid time off.
- Paid vacation.
- Paid holidays.
- Free telehealth services.
- Free mental health services.
- Well-being support programs.
- Education opportunities.
- Citizenship assistance.
- Employee discounts through Beneplace.
The company also provides opportunities for education through a range of degree programs beginning from the first day of employment.
Agricultural Experience Is Preferred
Previous agricultural or production experience is preferred for this position.
However, the job listing does not state that a specific poultry qualification or degree is mandatory. Instead, candidates must satisfy the employer’s work-history requirements and demonstrate that they can perform the physical and operational requirements of the role.
The position could therefore be relevant to people with backgrounds in:
- Poultry farming.
- Agriculture.
- Livestock operations.
- Farm production.
- Manufacturing.
- Warehouse or physical production environments.
Employment History Requirement
Candidates should pay particular attention to the employer’s work-history requirements.
Applicants must generally have:
- At least six months of consecutive work history with one employer.
- No additional employment gaps exceeding six months during the previous 36 months.
The employer provides exceptions that can extend the acceptable gap to 18 months for candidates who were laid off or providing child or elder care.
Candidates who have been full-time students continuously for the previous 36 months are also treated differently under the stated requirements.
A Highly Physical Agricultural Role
This is not a conventional desk-based position. Workers spend most of their shift standing, walking, bending and handling equipment and birds.
The physical requirements include:
- Regularly lifting or moving up to 50 pounds with another team member.
- Occasionally lifting or moving 100 pounds or more, such as stacks of bird coops.
- Repeated bending and stooping.
- Walking and standing for most of the workday.
- Reaching and handling tools and equipment.
- Climbing or stepping over objects.
- Maintaining balance on different surfaces.
- Driving vehicles or backing trailers within the farm complex.
The role may involve working on concrete floors, shavings and other farm surfaces.
Candidates should therefore be prepared for physically demanding work throughout the shift.
Working Environment
The poultry selection environment can vary significantly depending on the work area and weather conditions.
Employees may encounter:
- Wet and slippery surfaces.
- Hot conditions.
- Dry and dusty environments.
- Cold conditions.
- Wet environments.
- Operating machinery.
- Chemicals and disinfectants.
Personal protective equipment is required as part of the job.
This can include:
- Safety goggles or glasses.
- Face shields.
- Chemical-resistant gloves.
- Waterproof aprons.
- Rubber boots.
- Ear protection when required.
Employees are expected to follow the company’s safety procedures and use the appropriate protective equipment.
Strict Biosecurity Requirements
Biosecurity is a major part of this position because the employee will work around poultry.
Before entering the facility, employees must follow the company’s biosecurity procedures, which include:
- Showering before entering the facility.
- Changing clothing.
- Changing footwear.
- Using company-provided appropriate clothing and footwear.
- Following restrictions concerning jewelry.
- Complying with company biosecurity rules.
Employees must also be willing to sign an agreement restricting contact with other avian species, including chickens, ducks and other birds.
This requirement is designed to help prevent the introduction and spread of diseases within poultry facilities.
Animal Welfare Responsibilities
Animal welfare is another important part of the position.
Workers must follow company animal welfare guidelines when handling birds.
This includes properly handling weak, sick or injured birds and following company procedures when euthanasia is required.
Because of these responsibilities, candidates should be comfortable working directly with live poultry and following detailed animal-handling procedures.
What Skills Are Important for This Job?
Successful candidates will need to be reliable and able to work effectively in a physically demanding environment.
Important qualities include:
Reliability
The early start time and production-based schedule make punctuality particularly important.
Physical Fitness
Workers must be capable of standing, walking, bending and lifting throughout the workday.
Teamwork
Some materials and equipment must be moved by two team members, while many tasks require close cooperation with other workers.
Attention to Detail
Selection activities involve identifying birds based on physical attributes and information provided through technology.
Safety Awareness
Employees must follow safety procedures, use protective equipment and identify workplace hazards.
Adaptability
The work schedule and responsibilities can change depending on production requirements.
Location and Relocation
The position is located in Spavinaw, Oklahoma.
The employer specifically states that relocation assistance is not available.
Applicants must also reside in the United States to be considered for an interview.
This is therefore not advertised as an overseas recruitment opportunity, and candidates outside the United States should not assume that the company will sponsor relocation for this position.
Who Could Be a Good Fit?
This opportunity may be suitable for someone who:
- Has agricultural, poultry or production experience.
- Enjoys hands-on work.
- Is comfortable working with live birds.
- Can work early morning shifts.
- Is physically capable of demanding farm work.
- Can follow detailed safety and biosecurity procedures.
- Works well as part of a team.
- Has good attention to detail.
- Can adapt to changing production requirements.
- Meets the employer’s work-history requirements.
- Currently resides in the United States.
Important Points to Consider Before Applying
Candidates should understand that this job involves substantially more than general farm labor.
The position requires employees to:
- Work directly with poultry.
- Follow strict biosecurity procedures.
- Work in potentially hot, cold, wet and dusty conditions.
- Perform repetitive physical tasks.
- Lift and move heavy equipment and coops.
- Work early morning hours.
- Follow animal welfare requirements.
- Use protective equipment.
- Maintain strict safety standards.
- Meet the employer’s employment-history requirements.
Anyone uncomfortable with these conditions should carefully consider whether this type of agricultural production role is appropriate for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Poultry Selection Worker position pay?
The starting pay is $17 per hour, with additional shift differentials available for qualifying evening, night and weekend work.
Where is the job located?
The position is based in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, USA.
Is this a full-time position?
Yes. The position is advertised as full-time.
What are the working hours?
The regular schedule is Monday through Thursday, from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The schedule may change depending on production requirements.
Is previous poultry experience required?
Previous agricultural or production experience is preferred, but the listing does not specify a mandatory poultry-specific qualification.
Is relocation assistance available?
No. The employer explicitly states that relocation assistance is not available.
Can applicants outside the United States apply?
The employer states that applicants must reside in the United States to be considered for an interview.
Is the work physically demanding?
Yes. Employees regularly stand and walk for most of the shift, repeatedly bend and stoop, and may need to move up to 50 pounds with another team member. They may occasionally move loads exceeding 100 pounds.
Will employees work directly with birds?
Yes. The position involves selecting, transferring, identifying and moving birds, as well as assisting with other poultry-handling activities.
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity refers to procedures designed to prevent diseases from entering or spreading within a poultry facility. For this position, procedures include showering and changing clothing and footwear before entering the facility.
Are benefits available?
Yes. The company lists health, dental and vision insurance, disability coverage, 401(k), stock options, paid time off and several other benefits. Eligible full-time employees are stated to be eligible for benefits from day one.
Does the job require working holidays?
Yes. The advertised schedule includes Monday through Thursday, including holidays.
What type of protective equipment is required?
Depending on the task, workers may be required to use safety glasses or goggles, face shields, chemical gloves, waterproof aprons, rubber boots and hearing protection.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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