Internship: Human Resources

Who We Are and What We Do

Farmer Focus’s mission is to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to consistently producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals.  Our culture is rooted in servant leadership, and we live by our Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.

Who We Are and What We Do

Farmer Focus’s mission is to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to consistently producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals.  Our vision is to be the #1 protein brand for those who value people, the planet, and animals.

Our corporate offices, processing and packaging operations are located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This is a paid internship, working a minimum of 20 hours per week during the summer months.  Selected interns will be assigned to a department in our organization that aligns with your course of study. 

The Farmer Focus Internship Program offers hands-on Human Resource learning opportunities throughout our business operations including our production environment and corporate offices.  
The Farmer Focus team aims to develop a learning opportunity that aligns with your program of study while providing exposure to many areas of our business operations.  Successful Farmer Focus interns take an active role in developing a learning plan with their internship supervisor. 

Learn about how Human Resources directly supports nearly every aspect of our business.  You will gain exposure to: 

•    Recruiting, hiring and onboarding
•    Employee relations
•    Administrative support functions and reporting 
•    Policy development and compliance 
•    Individual project work 
•    Hands on experience with Workday 

You will be matched with a mentor from the team to help facilitate learning and provide day to day guidance. 

Over the course of our 10-week program, you will spend the first few weeks getting to know our business.  With the guidance of your mentor, you will identify a mutually beneficial project that will provide learning, leadership and growth for you and the company.  Our interns have the opportunity to contribute directly to the business through daily responsibilities that connect them to our ongoing operations.  Successful Farmer Focus interns take an active role in developing a learning plan with their mentor. 
Interns will engage with other members of the summer internship program cohort through collaborative work and weekly social activities.  
Successful interns will culminate their time at Farmer Focus by sharing their work with high level leaders at Farmer Focus with presentation of their experience, and an opportunity to explore career opportunities with Farmer Focus.

Bilingual (English/ Spanish) students strongly encouraged to apply. 

How this Role Will Be Impactful
•    Assist in the completion of various projects, assignments and duties while developing skills related to your assigned department.  
•    Receive one-on-one mentorship and support 
•    Develop professional connections through attendance at company-sponsored events

What You Bring to the Role
•    Must be at least 18 years of age
•    Must be enrolled in an accredited program of study or recent graduate
•    Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
•    Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
•    An energetic, confident, professional and team-oriented attitude
•    Ability to multitask and prioritize work
•    Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
•    Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications
•    Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn 
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills 
•    Openness to working a varied schedule supporting operations across shifts, including nights and early mornings (depends on departmental assignment)
•    Attend all intern events
•    Participate in company hosted events 
•    Highly motivated
•    Dependable 

Work Requirements and Environment & Reasonable Accommodations Statement 

• This role is based on-site in Harrisonburg, VA .  
• Work location dependent on departmental assignment.  Work may be conducted in an office environment or in our production facilities.  
• Occasional travel locally between our locations in Harrisonburg, VA. 
• Work may require access the production environment. Must be able to tolerate the varying heat, wet, and chill of the plant. Hearing and eye-protective equipment required in the production area. Required to wear hair and beard nets in the production area. Must be able to traverse a two-story staircase multiple times per day.
• 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 functions.
   

Farmer Focus is committed to the principles of equal employment and to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is inclusive and equitable, free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based upon an individual's age, race (including traits historically associated with race, which includes hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), military status (including status as a uniformed servicemember, a veteran, or dependent of a servicemember), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Farmer Focus is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.