Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Operate vehicles, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil. Prepare fields to plant and harvest sugarcane. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Operate farm equipment to disk fallow ground and grade for drainage to prepare fields for sugarcane planting. Work soil in sprouted cane fields with disks or hoes pulled by tractors, by hand, or using self-propelled machinery to control weeds, prepare the soil for fertilization and loosen soil for cane roots to reach air and moisture. Adjust, repair, lubricate, clean and service farm machinery, and notify supervisor or appropriate personnel when machinery malfunctions. Assist with cleaning equipment using steam cleaner or high pressure water hose. Duties may include tilling soil, weeding crops and applying fertilizers. Repair fences and farm buildings. Clear and maintain ditches for drainage. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Perform farm, field and shop sanitation duties. 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.

During the sugarcane planting season, workers may be required to report to work as early as 4:00 am. Tractors pulling wagons have adequate lighting to enable early morning planting. Start time will be communicated the previous day.
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. In assessing whether workers' performance meets reasonable expectations, employer evaluates, among other reasonable criteria, whether the worker: (1) has adequately complied with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures; (2) has complied with all health and safety guidelines, including the use of tools or equipment in accordance with best practices to protect the employer's property, crops, and in a manner that avoids injury or damage; (3) has treated company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.

Special Requirements

Three months experience working with sugarcane required. Sit, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, stoop, lift and carry up to 50 lbs. for prolonged periods of time, work in inclement weather including extreme heat and/or rain. Requires physical stamina. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.