Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

SOC Code and Level: 45-2091 Agricultural Equipment Operators, Level II.

American Farmers Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit agricultural association that provides custom harvesting services to its grower-members by mechanically harvesting sugarcane and transporting the harvested cane from the farm to designated loading stations or rail concentration points for delivery to U.S. Sugar’s mill. Work performed under this job order will be directed by the Association in coordination with its producer-members and U.S. Sugar. Workers will be assigned one or more of the following duties based on operational needs, worker qualifications, and management discretion. Not all workers will perform all duties.

Workers will operate agricultural equipment to mechanically harvest, load, or transport highly perishable sugarcane from farm fields to loading stations or rail concentration points. Workers may also be required to move agricultural equipment between farm locations. The agricultural equipment that workers may be required to operate includes tractors, trailers, semi-trailers, field carts, harvest support equipment, and other vehicles used in agricultural harvesting and hauling.

Workers are responsible for performing daily safety inspections, making minor adjustments or repairs to equipment or vehicles, and alerting management when more significant repairs are required. Workers will also clean and maintain agricultural equipment and work areas.

Workers may also set up and operate irrigation equipment and clear and maintain irrigation ditches.

Daily work assignments, locations, and schedules will be directed by farm management based on operational needs. Workers must perform assigned duties at designated company locations and may be reassigned among farms, worksites, and job tasks during the workday or throughout the season. Not all workers will perform all duties as described in this job order.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honeybees, or exposure to insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Individuals must be available for the entire contract period specified by the employer.

Special Requirements

Must possess 12 months experience. All workers are required to pass a drug and alcohol test prior to beginning work. Drug and alcohol testing will be conducted post-hire at the expense of the employer. Negative results are required before starting work.

To operate agricultural equipment to haul harvested sugarcane, workers must be licensed to operate commercial vehicles and maintain a safe driving record. Workers with valid Class E driver licenses may transport other workers to and from worksites using employer-provided vans and pick-up trucks and may be offered additional hours. Van drivers may also maintain the tablets that workers use to log their daily hours. Applicants without any license may be assigned to operating harvesting equipment.

Workers will sit for extended periods of time and perform repetitive movements.