Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
wine grapes, vegetables, rotation crops and almond trees.
Tractor Operator (Vineyard, almonds, and farm): Workers must have a minimum of two (2) months of tractor operating experience. Workers will be responsible for all tractor operations, including the safe and proper operation of our fleet that includes but not limited to: specialty grape vineyard tractors, Pellenc grape vineyard harvesters, row crop tractors, ground working tractors and specialty row crop harvesters. Operators are responsible for daily tractor inspections and maintenance.

Driver: Other tasks for workers with proper license(s) and/or endorsements, may include but not limited to operating semitrucks for transporting crops, operating water and/or dump trucks, washing equipment/trailers.

Wire Moving: Workers must be able and willing to work to maintain vine trellises by moving wire, maintain and repair structures/grounds, maintenance of above ground trellising, maintenance of existing trellising, may include tying vine to trellis at any of the listed grape vineyard locations (worksite location may frequently change based on the needs of the grape vines), and workers must be able and willing to work on weekends as needed for proper viticultural health of the grape vines. Must be able to safely and repeatedly lift 50 pounds to a height of up to 66 inches (5.5 feet).

Hand Weeding: Under the direction of a supervisor, workers are required to spot all weeds around crops and in between seed lines and use their hands to completely remove all these weeds (including their roots) from the soil. Workers may be asked to place weeds in a specific spot in the field or to remove them completely from the field using a bucket or other device to haul them as instructed by field supervisor. Workers must often crouch, crawl, sit or kneel and then move along to remove weeds for extended periods of time. Must be able to see and completely remove weeds that are small (size of a thick piece of hair). Must be in possession of the requisite strength and endurance and tenacity to focus on the quality of work and perform in such a way that each area worked is completely free of viable weeds when the task is complete without the need for re working that area. Must be able to carry up to 20 pounds for long periods of time. Must be able to carefully and without losing balance, walk/move along very uneven, hilly, soft, or wet ground for extended periods of time in cold and/or hot conditions. The employer will provide any tools necessary (if applicable) to perform the job described without charge to the worker.

Corn De-tasseling: Under the direction of a supervisor, workers will walk down the aisles between the rows of plants in corn fields for the purpose of de-tasseling seed corn, and/or removing/destroying rogue corn plants. The worker, in order to perform this kind of work must be able focus on quality (i.e. the quick and efficient, complete removal of all tassels and/or rogues in their given row) while working in all weather conditions especially hot, wet and humid conditions. Workers must be in possession of the requisite strength and endurance and tenacity, working quickly and skillfully with their hands (hands positioned at anywhere from below waist level to above head level). Must be able to carefully and without losing balance, walk/move along very uneven, hilly, soft, or wet ground for extended periods of time. The employer will provide the tools necessary (if applicable) to perform the job described without charge to the worker.

Other Vegetable Production Work: Tasks may include grading/sorting out cull material from onion/carrots harvest operations, handling burlap bags, topping onions.

Other Tasks may include general vineyard/farm cleanup tasks including: picking up garbage within the vineyard/farm, de-suckering, shoot thinning, hand pruning. Work may also include: installation, repair, moving and de-installation of irrigation equipment.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of two (2) months of prior tractor operating experience. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience as an agricultural equipment operator. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required.