Farm Worker

Job description

Job requires the operation of various tractors and farm equipment to plant, irrigate, fertilize, spray, cultivate, harvest, and transport crops to elevator or storage areas. Equipment that workers may be required to operate includes, but is not limited to, tractors with various implements, equipment utilizing GPS and auto-guidance systems, sprayers, combines, backhoes, mowers, and track-hoes. Non-CDL farm trucks may be loaded with agricultural products and driven on the farm or to storage facilities.

Duties include participating in irrigation activities such as setting up and operating irrigation equipment, clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches, operating well motors, maintaining pivots, draining excess water from fields, and monitoring fields to ensure adequate water supply. Additional crop-related tasks include loading seed into planters, mixing and loading chemicals into sprayers, changing combine heads, rouging fields, removing undesirable plant varieties and debris, welding, and performing general maintenance, repairs, and cleanup of storage sheds, pivot points, buildings, and equipment. Workers must ensure operational areas remain organized and well-maintained and perform routine servicing of vehicles and machinery.

In addition to crop duties, workers will assist with livestock and facility operations. Responsibilities include operating and maintaining a variety of equipment such as tractors, skid steers, loaders, and feeding machinery to support daily feeding and livestock care. Workers will assist with all aspects of calving cows and bred heifers, including monitoring for labor, assisting during delivery, and ensuring proper postnatal care. Newborn calves may need to be lifted and carried to safe or designated areas for treatment and care.

Workers will assist in weaning calves, managing separation, monitoring calf health and behavior, and providing appropriate nutrition during transitions. Feeding duties include mixing and distributing rations based on livestock nutritional needs, handling heavy bags of minerals and supplements, and moving hay bales manually or with equipment. Animals must have clean, consistent access to feed and water, and rations adjusted as needed. Workers will monitor livestock health daily, report illness or injury, administer medications and supplements as directed, and assist veterinarians by gathering and restraining animals, preparing treatment areas, and recording health information.

Fly and pest control measures must be regularly implemented, including spraying livestock during warm months. Additional duties include cleaning and maintaining barns, pens, and handling areas; managing bedding and manure; and ensuring a clean, safe environment for animals.

There are few typical days and workers may be required to change duties and/or locations often and engage in various general functions. Daily duties may vary depending on crop, weather, and field conditions. The employer reserves the right to increase workers' pay or provide bonuses based on tenure, performance, or other factors that are solely based on the discretion of the employer.

Special Requirements

Job requires having or being able to obtain a drivers license within 30 days of hire. Basic English literacy skills are required. Job will require periods when workers may be exposed to varying weather conditions and extensive pushing, pulling, sitting, and walking. Random drug testing and criminal background checks may occur post-hire at the employers expense. These checks may be performed to ensure safe housing and work environments for all workers. Positive drug test results or refusal to comply with testing may result in termination of employment. If the employer discovers a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender that the employer reasonably believes, consistent with current law, will impair the safety and living conditions of other workers, the employer may terminate the worker (foreign and/or domestic) with notification to OFLC and DHS in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(n).