Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Soybeans (70%), Rice (30%).
Perform manual labor to mechanically plant, harvest and process crops for seed production, including rice and soybeans. Climb grain bins to remove and secure top. Use brooms, blowers, shovels and vacuum cleaning devices to clean grain bins, trucks, pits, augers, rice carts, combines and other equipment to comply with stringent seed inspection standards by the State. To ensure the purity of the selected rice varieties for seed production, rogue rice fields under full flood by walking through fields and removing undesirable off type rice varieties and other indigenous off type plants from each field by hand or using a hoe, shovel, or machete. These fields must pass inspection by the Mississippi Seed improvement Association. Help with maintenance on all equipment in the seed plant, farm shop and headquarters. Drive forklifts to move seed and other equipment. Load and unload grain trucks at the cleaning facility and grain bins. Load seed on farm equipment for planting. Rogue fields by walking through fields and removing undesirable off type varieties and weeds by hand or using a hoe, shovel or machete. Maintain rice levees. Put down spillway openings, drain excess water, remove levee gates and regulate proper water depth in rice fields. Water soybean fields using a shovel, hoe and putting out polypipe. After harvest, help retrieve the polypipe from the fields. Rice and soybean crops will be checked to maintain adequate water supply. Set up and maintain irrigation equipment for flood and furrow irrigation on all crops. Operate, repair and maintain basic farm equipment such as tractors and combines to plant, cultivate and harvest crops in the field and at the grain bins and elevators. Drive and service agricultural equipment according to the guidelines and training given by the supervisor. Use mowers and weed eaters around wells, buildings, farm equipment, grain bins and other places around the farm. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

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 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.),

Special Requirements

Three months of farm work experience required. Endure extensive 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. Hazardous occupation. Must be 25 or older and have a valid driver's license.