Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities: peanuts.
Operate agricultural equipment or machinery and perform manual labor in connection with the handling and preparation of peanuts for storage following harvest. Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers. Unload peanuts from trailers into hoppers or pits by opening and closing trailer doors, and guide and control the flow of peanuts through conveyors and drying equipment to ensure proper movement through the system. Obtain peanut samples, check moisture content, and operate peanut dryers to reduce moisture levels as needed. Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, tag and record peanut load information, and assist with stacking, sorting, and staging peanuts for storage. Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.
Observe and listen to machinery operations to detect equipment malfunctions. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust, repair, and service farm equipment and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions. Operate and perform routine cleaning and maintenance of farm equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Move peanut trailers on yard using tractors. Shovel or sweep loose peanuts and debris to maintain cleanliness and safety. Follow quality control standards and procedures. Clean work areas and maintain containers, materials, supplies, work areas, grounds, and facilities. Perform farm and shed sanitation duties. Clean around farm and buildings including pulling weeds and raking. Drive trucks or other vehicles to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers on or off the farm. Assist with 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.

There will be two shifts occurring for the entire contract. The first shift will begin at 7:00am and end at 7:00pm. The second shift will begin at 7:00pm and end at 7:00am.
TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property. In assessing whether workers' performance meets reasonable expectations, employer evaluates, among other reasonable criteria, whether the worker: (1) has adequately complied with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures; (2) has complied with all health and safety guidelines, including the use of tools or equipment in accordance with best practices to protect the employer's property, crops, and in a manner that avoids injury or damage;

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable farmwork experience operating agricultural equipment is required. Perform prolonged walking, sitting, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing/pulling, heavy lifting and carrying up to 55 lbs. repeatedly. Perform repetitive movements. Work in extremely hot, cold, and/or wet weather for extensive periods of time. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.