Ground Support Technician/agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Job Title: Ground Support Technician
Jog Description: Perform duties in ground support for aerial seeding, fertilizing, and dusting crops. Agricultural services are rendered in support of the following crops/commodities: Alfalfa, Corn, Cotton, Soybeans, and Wheat.

Farm Vehicle Operation & Maintenance Repair, clean, and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Operate augers and lifts. Load seed and fertilizer onto the airplane. Pour and pump materials and seeds into the aircraft feed hopper. Drive fertilizer truck and operate lifts. Drive a pickup truck to obtain parts and supplies. Use power equipment including but not limited to tractors, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, forklifts, and skid loaders. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction.

Mixing, Loading, Storing of Fertilizer/Pesticide/Herbicide/Fungicide Mix and apply fertilizers/herbicides/fungicides and other plant protectants and aerial seeding operations according to prescribed formulas, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant-related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate, and crop conditions. Workers must wear protective clothing and rubber or liquid-proof boots, or other recommended PPE products when handling all chemicals associated with applying plant protectants and aerial seeding. Chemicals may be toxic and are often concentrated. Check hoppers and tanks to ensure they are properly sealed, cover hoppers after loading and clean any spilled chemicals. Workers will be trained on all aspects of correctly mixing, loading, and storing fertilizers/pesticides/herbicides/fungicides and any other plant protectant. See EPA guidelines and manuals

Building and field maintenance: Assist with farm building and field maintenance and repairs, repairing fences, mowing, cutting, and weeding fields.

Protective Clothing/PPE Requirements: Worker must wear the following as deemed necessary and required by Employer, including but not limited to other PPE recommended items. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts, Gloves, Steel-toed boots, Goggles or face shield, Coveralls, Disposable clothing (e.g. one-piece disposable clothing with a hood, disposable face masks, and disposable protective gloves and footwear coverings), Chemical-resistant apron, and/or liquid impervious suits. Other saftey requirements: Clothing is pesticide-free and made of tightly woven fabric, tucking in or keeping pant legs tight to prevent catching on machinery, decontaminating protective clothing after use to reduce the spread of disease.-causing pathogens and/or using earmuffs or earplugs if farming equipment exceeds the safety threshold

Special Requirements

Work Rules
1. Per the DOL, the Employer will reimburse the Worker for inbound travel, sustenance, or other DOL-allowable expenses only upon the Worker completing 50% of the contract.
2. Workers must perform their assigned work carefully and work in accordance with the provisions of the work contract. Sloppy work will not be tolerated.
3. Workers must report at the assigned time and place each workday as directed by the Employer or Employers representatives.
4. Workers may not take unauthorized breaks from work. Should the Worker need a break, he/she will immediately contact the Employer or Employers representative.
5. Workers may not leave an assigned work area without the permission of the Employer or Employers representative.
6. Workers may not enter the Employer's premises without authorization.
7. Workers may not begin work before the scheduled starting time or continue working after the stopping time unless authorized by the Employer/Employers representative.