Farmworker, Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Plant, cultivate, and harvest corn, ryegrass, sorghum and alfalfa. Operate farm vehicles and agricultural equipment. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil; applying fertilizers and pesticides; combining chemicals; weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; loading and unloading harvested products. Repair and maintain fences and farm buildings. Participate in irrigation activities. As a minor activity, attend to livestock. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, dehorning, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Haul agricultural commodities including manure and crops. As a minor activity, assist with minor repairs and maintenance on agricultural equipment. Clean and maintain fields, work areas and grounds. Clean and sanitize equipment.
Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, wasp, 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

Three months of experience operating agricultural equipment. Walk, stoop, bend, reach, lift and carry up to 60 lbs. and sit for prolonged periods of time. Work in inclement weather conditions. A Class E license (or equivalent) and valid DOT doctors certificate are required to operate farm vehicles. Potential applicants must be eligible to obtain a DOT doctors certificate and Class E drivers license. Workers that do not already have the doctors certificate and/or Class E license must start the process immediately upon starting work. The employer will pay for any related expenses. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may also drive transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours.