Equipment Operators

Job description

This application encompasses general farm labor and labor for the raising and harvest of apples, pears, and cherries. Cherry, Apple and Pear Harvest: The worker will hand harvest fruit on a motorized platform, from the ground and/ or utilizing a ladder. The worker will attach the harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit. The worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping fruit with their hands and removing it from the tree in a motion that will not harm buds on tree branches. The worker will carry the harness, bucket or bag of fruit and will place the fruit into lugs. The worker must exercise care at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be tasked with examining harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications.

Workers will drive and operate various farm equipment, such as tractors, irrigation equipment, 4-wheelers, trucks, and other commonly used equipment in agriculture, to perform farm field preparation such as spraying, planting, mowing, fertilizing, farming, and maintaining farms. Will attach and adjust farm implements and trailers to tractors such as discs, mowers, sprayers, tanks, fertilizer spreaders and planters and will ensure equipment is operating properly at optimum performances. Workers must conduct daily maintenance checks including lubricant fluid level checks prior to operating the tractor, monitor and drive tractors safely and efficiently over difficult terrain and must have sufficient knowledge of tractor mechanics to make simple and minor adjustments and repairs to tractors. Workers will be required to have knowledge of driving a tractor. Must receive tractor safety training and demonstrate ability to operate tractor in a safe manner and responsible for, processing paperwork inspections of tractor fueling of tractor and cleaning of tractors and implements. Workers may not use a cell phone or handheld device while operating equipment. This job requires the appropriate mixing of chemical materials and use of required personal protective clothing and equipment by the worker. The worker will operate a tractor with a mechanical sprayer attached or towed, containing chemicals or fertilizers used during the application process under the direction of the supervisor or crew monitor/checker. Spray applicators mix, load, and apply Fertilizer and Chemicals using the provided equipment. They must be capable of loading and transporting Chemicals, Fertilizer and Water. Workers must mix and apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation or chemical application on trees, or ground cover. Workers will maintain spray equipment including preventive maintenance and minor repair. Workers must follow the chemical or fertilizer label requirements, keep records, prepare and maintain reports regarding control and use of pesticides and are responsible for the safe storage and use of pesticides in conformance with all regulations.

Special Requirements

The job requires two months of tree fruit experience. Resigning before the contract end date may disqualify the employee from being eligible for future job opportunities with the employer for the remainder of that calendar year. However, the employer will review resignations due to special circumstances or hardships on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for an exemption to the no-complete, no-rehire policy, employees must notify the appropriate supervisory staff prior to voluntarily terminating their employment. Please note that employment under this contract does not guarantee continuous or future employment. Employer reserves the right to conduct employer-paid random, upon suspicion and/or post-accident drug testing in accordance with state law. Declining or refusing to take a drug test may result in termination.