Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Farm Work: sugarcane, soybeans, crawfish.
Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans, and harvest crawfish, by hand or machine (70% equipment operation). Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Perform manual labor to primarily plant sugarcane. Work in groups to plant sugarcane by hand while walking behind moving wagon. Reach and pull to remove pre-cut sugarcane stalks from supply trailer and manually place and straighten predetermined numbers of sugarcane stalks into an open furrow at specific intervals/overlaps while bending or stooping. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes and knives. Perform manual shovel work to dig and maintain drainage ditches and banks. Till soil. Transplant and weed crops. Repair farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities. Set up and operate irrigation equipment. Repair, maintain and clean farm vehicles, implements and mechanical equipment. Remove grass from around work areas. Clean and organize shop area. Apply herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides. Load seed into hoppers. Load harvested products. Haul soybeans from fields to grain bins on and around the farm. Haul fertilizer on the farm. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Identify plants, pests and weeds to determine the selection and application of fertilizers. Record information about crops, such as yields or costs. As a minor activity, workers may plant, cultivate and harvest soybeans and harvest crawfish by hand or machine. Licensed drivers may drive trucks or other vehicles to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers on or off the farm, and may be offered additional hours. Employees with a valid CDL endorsed driver's license may operate semi-trucks to transport fertilizer, soybeans, cane, and/or grain. Vehicles may be monitored by a camera on the vehicle for safety purposes. Assist in 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.

Special Requirements

Three months experience operating agricultural equipment to cultivate sugarcane required. Perform prolonged walking, bending, sitting, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of up to 50 lbs. Perform repetitive movements. Climb 25 ft. ladders on grain bins. Requires physical stamina. Work is in inclement weather including extreme heat, cold and/or rain. Must be at least 18 years old. Hazardous occupation. Valid drivers license is required. For safety reasons, and to comply with the law, a valid doctors certificate is required (U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division Form WH-515, Doctors Certificate, or equivalent). If an employee does not already have a valid certificate, the employer will schedule an exam post-hire at no cost to the worker. Workers who fail to present a valid certificate within 10 days after starting work or fail to maintain a valid certificate throughout the entire contract will be terminated.