Ag Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
corn and soybeans.
Drive tractors and balers, and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest grain, hay, and/or oilseed crops, including corn and soybeans. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing, weed spraying, mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking. Operate grain carts.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles.

Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Employer-paid post-hire random drug testing required.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.

The vehicles provided to workers (van, SUVs, pick-up truck, etc.) are for multi-purpose use on an as-needed basis (e.g., driving workers from employer-provided housing directly to the farm, around the farm properties during the work day, possibly carrying equipment/supplies with them). This may require workers to operate the vehicles on public roads in order to reach the other locations (no CDL w/ passenger endorsement required). These multi-purpose vehicles have a capacity or less than 13 tons, may be used on or off-farm by the workers (e.g., drive to the grocery store, bank, etc. at their discretion).

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 6 months of agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks including operating heavy agricultural equipment and driving/servicing tractor unit and semi-trailer. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required. Must have or be able to obtain insurable drivers license within 30 days following hire in order to drive company vehicles, including semi-trucks.