Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Operate farm vehicles and agricultural equipment to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate and harvest soybeans and hay. Load seed into planters properly and operate equipment to plant soybeans. Clear and maintain ditches. Build, assemble and maintain levees. Maintain and repair bush hog banks/ levees. Check wells each day and service wells. Put down and retrieve levee gates. Raise and lower drain boxes. Properly load seed onto hopper. Walk soybean and hay fields to check on and maintain adequate water supply to crops. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers and knives and equipment to repair, clean and maintain farm vehicles and agricultural equipment including grain augers. Attach farm implements, such as a plow, disc, and drill to tractor. Till soil. Cut hay. Load and unload harvested products. Load and unload feed sacks. Herd livestock to pasture for grazing. Assist with cleaning equipment using steam cleaner or high dump pits. Perform general farm maintenance including weed and grass control. Maintain roadways with equipment such as tractors and implements. May assemble trellises, repair fences, and farm buildings. Clean and maintain work areas. Assists 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. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Twelve months verifiable experience operating large tractors and implements required. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Perform prolonged walking, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting, carrying and loading up to 75 lbs. Must be 18 years or older.