Farm Workers

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane by hand or machine. Operate vehicles, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate and harvest. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Clean and load harvested products. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalk segments. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon. Place and straighten stalk segments into open furrow rows at specified intervals/overlaps. Pick up dropped sugarcane in fields. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. 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. Farm, field and shed sanitation duties. As a minor activity, tend to cattle and harvest crawfish. Assist in Good Agricultural Practices policies.

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. 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.), with care and respect, avoiding damage or improper cleanliness or maintenance standards; (4) has timely and consistently followed instructions duly communicated by supervisors, crew leaders, and management personnel; (5) has complied with the employer's quality control standards for ensuring a marketable product; (6) is not repeatedly tardy or absent, has reported to work at the time and place instructed, and remained at work for the agreed-upon work hours, unless such absence was excused or the worker timely communicated and sought approval for any deviation from such schedule; (7) has consistently performed the duties assigned, in the manner instructed, and has not purposefully malingered or acted in a recalcitrant manner (i.e., refusing without cause to perform certain duties, refused to follow instructions, performed work in in a careless or reckless manner that poses a risk to the employer's crops/commodities, company property, or the health/safety of others, etc.).

Special Requirements

Three months of farmwork experience is required. Repetitively walk, sit, bend, kneel, reach, push and pull for prolonged periods of time. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Must be 18 or older.