Baxter International has already begun taking applications for jobs at its planned $1 billion manufacturing plant at the intersection of Newton and Walton counties.

There are 21 jobs posted in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, project management and quality assurance and interested applicants are asked to apply at careers.baxter.com.

Baxter spokeswoman Kellie Hotz said previously the company plans to hire a total of 60 workers this year, including a small number of key leadership and technical positions in engineering, quality, manufacturing, project management, supply chain and IT.

Construction jobs will also be filled, but are not included in that total, previously said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The company plans to hire 1,500 workers at the Covington location by 2018, including positions in engineering, project management, manufacturing, maintenance, quality, laboratory functions, IT, environmental health safety and security, supply chain and human resources. Specific job requirements for available positions can be found online.

Baxter manufactures medical equipment and produces plasma-based drugs for hemophilia and other blood-based disorders, as well as other medical conditions. The company is locating a campus of buildings in Stanton Springs industrial park, which is located at the intersection of Morgan, Newton and Walton counties and is jointly owned by those counties and Jasper County.