Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
rice, soybeans, corn.
Crops grown on the farm include rice, soybeans and corn. Performs a variety of manual tasks associated with the grain and oilseed production including planting, cultivating and harvesting of crops. Install and remove levee gates, assist with irrigation, clean bins and around barns, clean and maintain equipment, load and unload, pull samples, work in fields and shop. Upon occasion workers may be required to dig ditches and install water lines to sheds, barns, stock tanks and other structures on the farm. May apply agricultural chemicals: herbicides and insecticides, and apply fertilizer.

Work includes mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation power equipment may include tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, cultivators and other equipment. Workers will be expected to be able to operate agricultural equipment with or without direction.

Workers will assist in loading/unloading trucks with grain, seed and/or materials weighing up to and including 60 pounds. Workers must be able to lift such weights to a height of 5 feet over the course of the work day. Workers should be able to work on their feet 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. Saturday work required.

In addition, workers may be required to perform variable tasks such as the following: irrigation, ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, weeding and other tasks related to general farming.

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 verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work 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 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.

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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. 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.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a five-day trial 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 trial period if the worker’s performance fails to satisfy the employer’s reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of twelve months of prior experience working on a grain/oilseed farm handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing upon suspicion of use.