Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Operate vehicles, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil. Prepare fields to plant and harvest sugarcane. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Welding may be done as a minor activity for repair and maintenance. Operate farm equipment to disk fallow ground and grade for drainage to prepare fields for sugarcane planting. Work soil in sprouted cane fields with disks or hoes pulled by tractors, by hand, or using self-propelled machinery to control weeds, prepare the soil for fertilization and loosen soil for cane roots to reach air and moisture. Adjust, repair, lubricate, clean and service farm machinery, and notify supervisor or appropriate personnel when machinery malfunctions. Assist with cleaning equipment using steam cleaner or high pressure water hose. Duties may include tilling soil, weeding crops and applying fertilizers. Repair fences and farm buildings. Clear and maintain ditches for drainage. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Perform farm, field and shop sanitation duties. Workers with a valid license and doctor’s certificate may transport other workers in vehicles provided and insured by the employer and be offered additional hours. 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.

During the sugarcane planting season, workers may be required to report to work as early as 4:00 am. Tractors pulling wagons have adequate lighting to enable early morning planting. Start time will be communicated the previous day.
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 experience working with sugarcane required. Sit, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, stoop, lift and carry up to 50 lbs. for prolonged periods of time, work in inclement weather including extreme heat and/or rain. Requires physical stamina. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.