Field Worker (irrigation)

Job description

Irrigation: Perform the following irrigation duties:

Irrigation Flood: Workers walk in uneven furrows. Using a shovel, workers shape and/or remove soil gates within the furrow to give access or obstruct water flow in field. Workers have to manually connect plastic pipes that line into the field. These pipes weigh approximately 5 lbs, are 5 feet in length, and 2 inches in width.

Pre-Irrigation: workers walk on wet uneven furrows and across beds. Irrigators move within the field looking for any non-working or clogged sprinklers. Under the direction of the field supervisor, workers make sure sprinkles aren’t clogged or have any pipe disconnected. Pre-Irrigation is used to water down soil and prepare the field prior to farming.

Irrigation: workers walk on uneven furrows. Irrigators install and/or remove sprinklers and irrigation pipes. One worker drives tractor, the other two workers walk behind a tractor and a trailer that carries aluminum pipes. Under the direction of the field supervisor, the worker grabs the pipes and sprinklers and by bending at the waist they have to manually unload and/or load pipes into the furrow to set the field up for irrigation following transplanting.

Break/move pipes: workers walk on uneven furrows. Irrigators pick and/or lay sprinklers and irrigation pipes. After transplanted field is watered down, workers have to move and/or break irrigation pipe lines. Under the direction of the field supervisor, field workers have to move and carry aluminum pipes and sprinklers from one furrow into the next as needed to water down the field evenly. Aluminum pipes and sprinklers weight approximately 50 lbs, 30ft in length, 2 ½ in width.

Tractor Drivers. Driving tractors and other equipment in fields and worksites
Maintenance: Performing regular maintenance on tractors and other machinery, and informing someone when things need fixing. Cultivation: Preparing land, sowing seeds or seedlings, harvesting, and storing crops. Other tasks: Using tractors to help plant new crops or spread fertilizer, moving irrigation, and weeding. General Labor.

Agricultural Equipment Operator (Forklift):
Operate powered industrial trucks to load and unload product, operate ice injector and bobcat to inject ice into product for cooling. Operate Vacuum Tube(s) for iceless and leaf products. Operate 12 pallet forklift. Move cooled product into the cooler for storage prior to shipment. Load outbound trucks, break down pallets as necessary. Obtain copy of production schedule. Perform daily equipment checks such as oil levels, malfunctioning equipment, etc. Loading and unloading materials and product from field trailers. Loading ice injector hopper with ice. Loading ice injector with palletized product for icing. Restack pallets when necessary. Transfer cooled product into the cooler for shipment. Reports any issues to supervisor or higher-level employee. Sanitize equipment daily, prior to startup. Performs other related duties as assigned. Regularly sitting on a powered industrial truck. Prolonged periods standing and walking. Frequently lift up to 60 pounds and adjust body position to bend, stoop, stand, walk, turn, pivot and stand for long periods of time. Manual dexterity as needed to operate a variety of machinery and equipment. Having good eye-hand-foot coordination. Ability to work in varying temperatures, depending upon season. Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to listen, understand, and follow directions. Follow instructions for operating equipment and keeping records. Execute assignments in an accurate, timely and safe manner. Ability to work in a variety of roles. Maintain a clean and safe work environment. Forklift certification per OSHA standards

Special Requirements

Minimum Job Qualifications:

1 month of agricultural equipment operation experience and 1 month harvest experience with any of the listed commodities. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.