Ag Equipment Operators

Job description

Operate farm vehicles, equipment, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery to mechanically harvest sugarcane. Cane stalks are severed from their roots and mechanically deposited into a field cart that is moved by tractor to a location within-the-growing field for pick up. Ensure hoppers are filled properly in mechanical harvesting. Clean and maintain vehicles and farm equipment. Participate in irrigation activities, including setting up and operating irrigation equipment, clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches. Clean in and around trailers, carts, wagons and work areas. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers on and off the farm and may be offered additional hours. 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. 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. Workers will have a paid lunch break.

Workers are scheduled to work 6 days/week, from 5:00 am until 5:00 pm, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm or from 3:00 am until 3:00 pm. Conditions that may cause the total hours to vary include weather (rain, fog), roads, mechanical breakdowns, and rate of harvest.
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 experience operating agricultural equipment required. Agricultural Equipment Operators are required to pass a drug and alcohol test prior to operating equipment. Must comply with safety requirements and good agricultural practices. Workers will sit for extended periods of time and perform repetitive movements. Drug testing will be conducted post-hire but before operating any equipment. Such drug and alcohol testing will be performed at the expense of the employer. Negative results are required before starting work.