Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Under the direction of supervisor, worker will perform any combination of tasks involved in the operation of tractors and farm equipment. Workers must be able to drive tractor and operate sprayer to spray orchards. Under the supervision of a licensed sprayer workers must be able to mix chemicals given the proper provided PPE and instructions. Workers must be able to read directions for mixing and write proper records for each spray.

Workers will perform any combination of duties consistent with harvesting quality fruit and vegetables. Manually plant, cultivate, & harvest fruit & vegetables such as: apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, squash, peppers, beans, & tomatoes. Workers will have to conduct general orchard work including but not limited to field work, pruning and maintenance of fields, trees and farm equipment.

Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, & knives. Duties include tilling soil & applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops. Construct trellises, repair fences & farm buildings. Set up & operate irrigation equipment. Pick apples for fresh marketing and/or processing. Inform farmers or farm manager of crop progress. Workers may be instructed to selectively pick mature fruit & vegetables, according to size, color & other USDA standards. The workers will be expected to hand-harvest fruit and vegetables. Workers will have to work in cold and wet conditions and must have proper clothing for such conditions. Must be physically able to lift up to 75lbs on a consistent basis throughout the day. While working in the field cell phone usage is limited to emergency use only. Due to safety concerns on a farm, workers must understand basic instructions in English. Workers referred to as a result of this order must have a minimum of three months verifiable experience in performing the tasks described in this order.

Workers who possess a valid driver’s license and meet all applicable legal requirements, including holding a doctor’s certificate as required by 29 CFR § 500.105, may be asked to drive vehicles for transporting workers, tools, goods, or commodities on company business. Load agricultural products into trucks, and drive trucks to market or storage facilities. This task is voluntary, compensable, and not a mandatory job duty. Workers without a valid driver’s license or doctor’s certificate will still be fully eligible for employment and are not disqualified from any other job responsibilities outlined in this application.

Special Requirements

Must have a minimum of three months verifiable experience in performing the tasks described in this order. Must be physically able to lift up to 75lbs on a consistent basis throughout the day.
Workers must pick a minimum of 100 buckets of fresh market apples per day with no more than 2% bruising.
The employer reserves the right, at the employers sole discretion, to temporarily raise the above listed piece rate due to crop conditions. In the tasks where there is no prevailing practice to pay a piece rate the employer, at his sole discretion may opt to pay per hour to ensure a good quality product.