Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Operate machinery (approximately 75%) or manually (approximately 25%) perform sugarcane cultivation and field preparation activities. Operate, repair, and maintain farm vehicles and equipment. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant growth, climate and crop conditions. Install/remove, operate, and maintain levee gates to regulate proper water depth. Mow, cut, and weed fields and farm buildings. 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, skid loaders, and trucks or other farm 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 materials/supplies. Clean and maintain work areas, farm vehicles, fences, building and equipment. Wash farm vehicles and equipment. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive employer's vans or other transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. As a minor activity, if needed, workers may assist with the feeding and general maintenance of cattle. 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 a paid 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

Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements, frequent walking, sitting, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, standing, pushing/pulling and lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.