Farmworker

Job description

Mechanically plant, cultivate and harvest corn, cotton, wheat and peanuts. Operate, repair and maintain farm vehicles and equipment. Load seed into hoppers. Load cotton bales. Pick up and load loose cotton. Cover harvested peanuts with tarps. Carry supplies including bags and baling wire to the field. Install/maintain irrigation systems. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Maintain ditches. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, and trucks or other vehicles. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs. Use hand tools including but not limited to rakes, hoes, tractors, mattocks, brush hooks and/or axes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Clean and maintain work areas, vehicles, fences, building and equipment. Perform post-harvest activities. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive employer's vans or other transportation vehicles to transport workers on and off the farm and may be offered additional hours. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable experience operating heavy agricultural equipment is required. Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements, frequent walking, sitting, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. Must be 30 years or older. Hazardous Occupation. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.