Irrigation Laborer

Job description

Crops/Commodities: canal and waterway maintenance.
Perform various tasks related to the operation and maintenance of canals, ditches, and waterways, including ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, raking, and other manual tasks, by hand or with use of hand tools. Mow, cut, and weed alongside canals, ditches, and waterways. Load and unload equipment, as needed. Repair fences and other structures necessary for canal and waterway operations. Perform maintenance on flood gates. Open and close flood gates to control erosion. Drive and help maintain/repair service vehicles.

Work is done outdoors for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling equipment weighing up to 100 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work may be required in shallow water, mud, and/or wet grass. Work may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures during working hours can range from 10 to over 110 degrees F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop canal maintenance operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required, including gloves and safety goggles. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Shorts, bathing suits or other casual clothing not permitted. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision.

Employer-paid post-hire random drug testing required. Employer requires all newly hired employees to take and pass an employer-paid background check. All background checks are conducted uniformly after an initial job offer has been extended and accepted by the new hire. Applicants found to have felony convictions (including, but not limited to assault, child molestation, sex or drug-related convictions) will be immediately terminated out of concern for general public safety, and paid for all hours worked between the first date of employment and the date of termination, if any. In the case of a non-local worker who is terminated for cause resulting from findings of the background check, the employer will arrange least-cost transportation to the worker's place of recruitment, at the worker's expense.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may transport other workers in trucks.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.
All primary duties are entry-level and require close supervision and/or a short-demonstration of the task by a more experienced worker.

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.

Special Requirements

This job requires verbal confirmation of prior outdoor, manual labor experience. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs.