Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
soybean, corn, and wheat, honeybees.
This job requires a minimum of six months of verifiable experience on a corn, soy bean and wheat farm and working with honeybees. Workers will be expected to perform manual jobs as well as equipment operation with accuracy and efficiency beginning with planting through harvest. Performs tasks associated with corn, soybean and wheat production: Under supervision, operates farm machinery, including tractors, combines, loaders to plant, cultivate, harvest and store crops. Under supervision, assists with servicing, cleaning and maintenance of farm equipment, trucks, trailers and machinery. Pulls weeds as needed using hand tools. Helps with irrigation, loads product, cleans around barns. Upon occasion workers may be required to dig ditches and install water lines to sheds, barns, stock tanks and other structures on the farm. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Be able to change large equipment tires.

Must be familiar with working with bees in all stages, from egg through mature workers, drones and queens. Must work all aspects of beekeeping. Access colony to determine if food or medicine is needed. Feeding and medicate bees for diseases and pests. Maintain hives in healthy state. Raise and replace queens. Make divides. Make, paint and clean boxes. Harvest/extract honey.

Work is to be done for long periods of time. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers’ ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 10 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Employer assures that workers will be provided transportation from living quarters to work site every day (for workers who must be provided housing under the applicable regulations.)

The employer may discipline the worker, including brief suspension of work activities (“time out”) for a period determined by the supervisor, suspension from employment for a set period of days or termination of employment as described in the “Work Rules."

Persons seeking employment as experienced Agricultural Equipment Operator must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Successful applicants will be subject to a trial period of up to five days during which their performance of required tasks will be evaluated. If the performance during the trial period is not acceptable to the employer the worker‘s employment will be terminated.

Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work.

Employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Raises and/or bonuses may be offered to any seasonal worker employed pursuant to this job order, at the company's sole discretion, based on individual factors including work performance, skill, and tenure.

All terms and conditions included in the job order will apply equally to all workers, both U.S. workers and H-2A workers, employed in the occupation described in this clearance order.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of six months of verifiable experience on a corn, soy bean, and wheat farm and working with honeybees. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. No minimum education or High School diploma/equivalent is necessary for the position. No smoking or use of tobacco products is allowed on company premises or in company-provided housing at any time. Workers may drive light company vehicles on farm. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work.