Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Farm Work: soybeans, rice, wheat and corn.
Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate and harvest soybeans, rice, wheat and corn by hand or machine. Operate farm vehicles, equipment, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, grain auger, and self propelled machinery. Rogue rice fields by walking fields on foot when fields are under full flood to remove undesirable off type rice varieties and other indigenous off type plants from each field for purity of variety in rice seed production. These fields must pass inspection by the Mississippi Seed Improvement Association. Walking each field is required. Rogue soybean and corn fields by walking fields on foot to remove undesirable off type soybean varieties and unacceptable weeds using a hoe, shovel or machete. Install and remove rice levee gates with shovel. Rice levee must be maintained. Put down spillway openings, drain excess water, remove levee gates and regulate proper water depth in rice fields. Water soybean and corn fields using a shovel, hoe and poly pipe. Rice, soybean, wheat and corn crops must be checked to maintain adequate water supply. Climb grain bins to remove and secure top, work on stirring device, elevator and augers. Clean intake openings on pumps under water. Use brooms, blowers, shovels and vacuum cleaning devices to clean grain bins, trucks, pits, rice carts, combines and other equipment to comply with stringent seed production inspection standards by the state. Use mowers and weed eaters around wells, buildings, farm equipment and grain bins. Operate, repair, and maintain basic farm equipment. Set up and maintain irrigation equipment for flood and furrows irrigation on all crops. 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 experience working in rice fields and agricultural equipment operation are required. Work in extremely hot, cold, and/or wet weather. Perform prolonged walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of 50 lbs. Must be able to swim in water 10 ft deep in order to clean intake openings on pumps. Climb 35 ft. ladders on grain bins. Requires operation of computerized tractors and equipment. Valid drivers license is required. Hazardous occupation.