Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Corn, hay, winter wheat.
Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyers, hand trucks, forklifts, or transfer augers. Mix specified materials or chemicals, and drum solutions, powders, or seeds in planter or sprayer machinery. Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus, and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers. Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment. Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions. Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools. Load hoppers, containers, or conveyers to feed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops. Weigh crop-filled containers and record weights and other identifying information. Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, and farm workers. Drive and operate farm machinery to plant, cultivate, harvest, and store grain crops. Attach farm implements, such as plow, disc, and drill to tractor. Till soil, plant and cultivate grain. Tow harvesting equipment. Drive and operator self-propelled combine.

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 an unpaid lunch break.

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.).

Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer's recruitment period.

Special Requirements

Minimum of 3 months of experience is required. Must be able to obtain a driver's license within 30 days of employment. Employer requires drug screen post hire at employer's expense due to the liability of operating equipment. Employer requires criminal background check post-hire at the employer's expense due to presence of children on the farm and expensive tools and equipment. Failure to pass drug screen and/or criminal background check will result in termination of employment. Lift and carry items weighing up to 60 lbs. The worker will be exposed to extreme temperatures. Extensive pushing and pulling required. Extensive sitting required. Extensive walking is required. Wage rate may increase for verifiable experience. Employer may reward exceptional work with monetary or other benefits in addition to those listed here in his sole discretion.