Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
soybeans, corn, wheat, sugar beets.
Drive Case-IH tractors and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest grain, sugarbeets, soybeans and corn. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: tilling fields, planting and seeding, spraying, and harvesting. Mowing road ditches, maintaining farm sites and grain storage facilities. Hauling harvested crops from the field to storage bins or to grain elevators. Trucks are diesel and have 9 or 10 speed transmissions. Must have and maintain appropriate drivers license. Keep equipment clean and orderly as well as the shop area and farmyard.

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, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. As a minor task, workers may be required to manually rogue fields.

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.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, 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.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Workers must understand and abide by all safety protocol. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience working in a grain/oilseed farm handling tasks including field crop production. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Experience with Case IH tractors, combines and related auto steer systems preferred. Saturday work required. Additional hours may be offered during planting and harvesting times. Endure extensive sitting, walking, prolonged bending and reaching, continuous lifting and carrying of up to 60 lbs., working in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather, climbing 100 ft. grain bins and working in an elevated environment. Workers must understand and abide by all safety protocol. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a Drug Free Workplace. Drug testing is conducted upon suspicion at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Valid drivers license required. Proficiency in English required to communicate, read an