Farmworker

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans. Operate farm vehicles, tractors and agricultural equipment. Prepare fields for planting. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon when needed. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Duties may include plowing, harrowing, tilling soil, weeding crops and applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Rogue soybean fields by walking fields on foot to remove undesirable off type soybean varieties and unacceptable weeds using a hoe, shovel, or machete. Clean and load harvested products. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalks that have been segmented using machetes. Walk behind wagons and hand plant sugarcane at designated intervals in furrows. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Assist with cleaning, maintenance, and repairing equipment, fences, and farm buildings. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements and agricultural equipment. Operate farm vehicles to load sugarcane onto trailers to assist with the completion of the harvest process. Dig, clear and maintain ditches to drain water from fields. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products, and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist in Good Agricultural Practices policies.
Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

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. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a two day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the introductory period if the worker’s performance fails to satisfy the employer’s reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the two day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer’s recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Special Requirements

Three months of farmwork experience required. Bend, reach, push, pull, walk and sit for prolonged periods of time. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Walk, stoop, or kneel when planting sugarcane by hand. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Must be 18 years or older. Hazardous occupation. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire, under suspicion, at random and post accident at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.