Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Sugarcane, soybeans, rice, crawfish.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):
Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans and harvest crawfish. Drive tractors and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bush hogging fields; disking; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing, weed spraying and mowing. Operate grain carts. Cut and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. May hand plant sugarcane in rows at designated intervals. Drain excess water from fields. Chop/segment sugarcane stalks with machetes or other tools as directed by employer. Operate and control sugarcane combine, and/or follow harvester on foot through field and pick up dropped sugarcane. Load and unload harvested sugarcane. Transport harvested sugarcane on farm and/or to mill for processing and may transport soybeans to elevator. Load seed into hoppers and assist with mechanical soybean planting. Rogue soybean and rice fields on foot. Remove off-type varieties and other plants using hand tools. Wade in crawfish ponds approximately 15-24” deep. Harvest crawfish by hand, wade or ride in boats, pick up traps, dump crawfish into boats, rinse and bag. Prepare boats, cut bait, bait and set out traps to catch crawfish. Weigh and bag crawfish. Dig and maintain ditches. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Clean and maintain work areas. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs. Licensed drivers may drive trucks or other vehicles to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers on or off the farm, and may be offered additional hours. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.
Job opportunity is Skill Level I. 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.

Special Requirements

Two months experience operating agricultural equipment required. Work outside in inclement weather conditions. Walk, sit, stoop, bend, reach, push and/or pull repetitively. Lift, carry, load or unload up to 50 lbs. Must have a valid drivers license and be at least 18 years or older.