Ag Equipment Operator.

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
corn.
Drive tractors and planters, and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables. Use farm equipment to cut, pull, dig, thresh, clean, chop, bag, or bundle cornl. Load/unload harvested corn or other materials manually or with mechanized equipment such as conveyors, or handtrucks.

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.

Service farm machinery, pump engines, trucks and trailers. Make repairs. Service/repairs includes but is not limited to: fueling, changing filters, inspecting for wear and or failure, lubricating grease points; inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, tire air pressures, belt and conveyer chain tensions, radiator and filter function, and brake performance; removing and replacing tires, wheels, bearings, belts, wear parts, filters, brake shoes, wheel seals, suspension parts, lights and lenses and chain or chain links. Minor and incidental welding within the scope of basic maintenance/repair. Workers will not fabricate new metal parts or equipment but will do repairs on broken equipment.

Must be able to work in the dark with provided lighting. Understand basic hand and power tools. Employee must be able to work comfortably above ground on scaffolding and ladders while working on irrigation pivots. Must be able to operate a cutting torch

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.

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.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks including operating agricultural equipment. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Clean driving record required. Must have or be able to obtain driver's license within 30 days of hire. Criminal Background check required.