Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Soybeans, corn, rice, wheat, cotton and seedlings.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):
Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate and harvest (25%). Operate, repair and maintain farm vehicles and equipment (25%). Load and unload fertilizer and prepare and maintain fields (50%). Crops include soybeans, corn, rice, wheat, cotton and seedlings. Clean, clear and maintain fields, grain bins and work areas. Store grain and clean grain bins. Plow, harrow and fertilize soil. Spray crops. Check rice fields daily for water levels. Assist in mechanical harvest. Load and unload combines. Inform farmer or farm manager of crop progress. Load fertilizer and seed onto trucks and unload using mechanical auger.

Secondary duties (performed on less than half of the workdays in the contract period):
Operate vehicles to ransport crops, supplies and equipment. Bale cotton. Build, construct and maintain levees. Install and remove levee gates. Complete end of season draining of fields. Set up and operate irrigation equipment. Perform manual shovel work. Use sharp box cutters with razor blades to cut open boxes of pesticides and/or fertilizer. Identify plants, pests and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers. As a minor activity, transplant tree seedlings in layout land.

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 reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employees who have completed 5 consecutive seasons with our company shall receive an hourly rate of $15.50 per hour.

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.

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; (3) has treated company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.

Special Requirements

Three months of farmwork experience required. Most job duties require workers to work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Work requires prolonged bending, reaching, lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., and climbing 15 ft. ladders in grain bins. A valid drivers license is required. Christmas Flying Service, LLC does not hire persons convicted of violent or drug related crimes except under extremely limited circumstances. Individual situations will be taken into consideration at the request of an applicant. Hazardous occupation. 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.