Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Agricultural Equipment Operator: Operate tractors to prepare the soil for planting, plant, transplant, cultivate, machine harvest and plow crops. Operate towed machines such as transplanters and sprayers to plant, fertilize, dust and spray crops. May operate forklift to load and unload flue-cured crops. Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect problems. Troubleshoot, repair and perform minor maintenance on farm vehicles and equipment. Perform farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Mow grass and operate trimmer around farm buildings. Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting. Operate farm vehicles to haul crops and drive other farmworkers from place to place around the farm properties (including on public roads to reach farmer’s fields) during the workday. May operate truck with GVWR of less than 13 tons to deliver crops produced on the farm (in its unmanufactured state) to storage or to market or to a carrier for transportation to market. Though not a hiring requirement, if a worker drives a company vehicle during the period of employment then at the time of operating the company vehicle the driver must possess a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or foreign equivalent and operate the company vehicle in accordance with the license restrictions and vehicle classifications applicable to that license. Workers will walk along rows as specified by employer and remove weeds and grass from fields by hand or using a hoe. Workers will cultivate by hand or with mechanical cultivator attached to farm tractor. The use or possession or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during working time is prohibited. Workers may be requested to submit to random drug or alcohol tests at no cost to the worker. Failure to comply with the request or testing positive may result in immediate termination. All testing will occur post-hire and is not a part of the interview process. Negative result may be required post-hire and before commencing work. Must be able to lift 75 lbs. to shoulder height repetitively throughout the workday. Use of personal cell phone or other personal electronic device during working hours strictly prohibited except for work-related calls or emergencies and violation may result in immediate termination. Requires minimum 3 months verifiable work experience operating tractors up to 140hp with farm implements. Must commit to work the entire contract period. Workers are expected to perform any of the listed duties and work on any crop as assigned by the employer and/or worker’s supervisor.

Greenhouse Seeding: Workers will fill trays with soil and feed full trays thru seeder. Workers will then transport seeded trays to greenhouse structure and place into float bed in an orderly manner in accordance with supervisors' instructions. Extra care must be taken not to disturb, disrupt or spill the planted seeds from the styrofoam tray cells during transport from seeder to floatbed. Tobacco seeds are extremely susceptible to disease. Therefore, each employee must exercise care and remain vigilant to ensure that their hands, clothes, and shoes are kept clean before entering the greenhouse. Greenhouse workers may be required to cleanse hands by washing in milk before handling tobacco seedlings. Workers will also work in and around greenhouses after germination doing general maintenance, clipping, fertilizing and monitoring according to supervisors' instructions.

Special Requirements

The use or possession or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during working time is prohibited. Workers may be requested to submit to random drug or alcohol tests at no cost to the worker. Failure to comply with the request or testing positive may result in immediate termination. All testing will occur post-hire and is not a part of the interview process. Negative result may be required post-hire and before commencing work. Must be able to lift 75 lbs. to shoulder height repetitively throughout the workday. Use of personal cell phone or other personal electronic device during working hours strictly prohibited except for work-related calls or emergencies and violation may result in immediate termination. Requires minimum 3 months verifiable work experience operating 140+ h.p. tractors with farm implements. Must commit to work the entire contract period. Workers are expected to perform any of the listed