Farm Laborers

Job description

Workers will be required to perform a variety of duties related to the production of alfalfa, cattle, and sheep.

The DOL has recognized the distinction between our ranch/farmworker positions and our open range positions and, consequently, our dates of need for these distinct positions should not be aggregated. Specifically, in the past, the DOL issued a Notice of Deficiency for our ranch/farmworker application (H-300-20353-970808) requesting an explanation of the difference between the roles. The company provided the requested information and the application was certified. The DOL also recognized this distinction in the Notice of Required Modification it issued for application H-300-21197-467071.

General Farm Work will include the following responsibilities: maintain, drive, attach and operate farm implements/tractors/equipment to assist in harvesting crops; Rake hay, cut hay with swather, drag fields, Operate brush mower to cut overgrowth of weeds. Clean out hay barns, rolls up hay tarps. Powerwash, grease, and prepare farm machinery for use and clean machinery after use; Report to supervisor any equipment damage or need for mechanical adjustment before use; remove undesirable and excess growth from crops or farm grounds; remove rocks from field; assist in controling rodents and pests; paint/repair/maintain farm structures; replace/repair fencing; perform general clean-up of farm areas; drive, load/unload trucks; operate utility vehicle in the course of performing duties. All truck driving activities will be done directly on the farm.

Irrigation duties will include the following; Check and fill dripper oil on well pumps. Clean screens on mountain water pipelines to remove debris. Remove pipes/wheel lines from storage and lay out/place in predetermined patterns in fields; lubricate, adjust, repair and replace parts such as sprinkler heads, nozzels, hoses and drive chains using hand tools; disassemble, service and store pipes/mainlines/wheel lines/hoses after irrigation season. Assist in repairs of mainline. Repair and replace old or broken pipelines. Assist in winter maintenance of irrigation systems and drain lines.

Hand lines: connect pipes; check alignment of pipe and adjust for proper water distribution; attach lines to water supply; turn on pump; turn valves to start flow of water; disassemble lines and carry pipes across fields at specified intervals; move pipes through freshly irrigated crops and/or plowed fields where mud may be deep at times; lift and carry pipe sections weighing approximately 40 pounds on a sustained basis

Wheel lines: start gasoline engines and operate controls to move lines across fields at specified intervals. Observe spray nozzels for proper spray, leaks, or plugged by debris. Lubricate, clean, adjust, repair or replace nozzels. Repair or replace drive chains using hand tools. Properly connect and disconnect main line hoses.

Pivots: Follow proper procedure to turn on and off center pivot irrigation systems. Check nozzels for proper water flow. Clean and replace nozzels if necessary. Check, change and maintain tires on pivot systems.

Flood Irrigation: Lift gate or place tarps in side of flooded irrigation ditch/pipe permitting water to flow into bordered section of field; shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment or cut trenches in high areas to direct water flow; close gate in ditch/pipe or move tarp when bordered section is flooded; Clean screens in live mountain water ditches to ensure high water flow. Shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water; and mix and apply proper solutions to fill holes/cracks in pipes, ditches, and spillways, and make minor repairs to metal, concrete, and wooden frameworks in pipe and ditch valves and gates.

Special Requirements

Special Requirements/Qualifications: Applicants must have 6 months experience as a Farm/Irrigation Worker. Must be able to turn off and on center pivot irrigation systems and change tires on center pivot irrigation systems. Applicants must be willing to occasionally work extended daylight or nighttime hours due to crop and/or livestock demands and be able to stand/bend/stoop for 8 hours at a time and lift 50 lbs repeatedly. The opportunity to drive is available to all seasonal workers assigned to the worksites in this job order. All employees in this position (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a drivers license (DL) and register as an FLCE driver on a voluntary basis. The DL and FLCE Certificate are not a pre-hire job requirement.