Farm Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to cultivate, rogue and irrigate crops by hand and to mechanically plant, cultivate, and harvest rice, corn, cotton and soybeans. Operate tractors, tractor drawn machinery, grain augers, air blowers, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow, plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest field crops and to move grain and clean grain bins. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Till soil and weed crops. Perform manual shovel work. Load harvested products. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, knives, grain scoops and brooms. Construct, clear and maintain irrigation ditches. Set up and operate irrigation equipment. Drain excess water from fields, open drainage overfill pipes, and walk each field to check for standing water and ensure adequate water supply to crops. Put down and retrieve levee gates for irrigation of crops. Build and maintain rice levees, put in spillways, rogue rice fields during flood. Check wells each day and service wells. Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Move chemicals to be added to automatic sprayers. Clean grain bins, augers, and dump pits for inspection. Workers must climb steps and ladders on the grain bins. Workers will level the contents of grain bins. Receive rice crop for drying and storage at drying facility. Clean grain bins and surrounding sites according to state requirements. Dispose of spoiled grain from pit and elevator area. Workers will unload grain bins and load into trucks. Excess grain must be removed from bin walls, roof, floors, and auger with blowers, brooms, and shovels. Workers must move the auger from bin to bin and clean the auger. Assist with cleaning equipment. Hand chop and rogue soybeans. Perform general farm maintenance and sanitation duties including using a weed eater and mower around buildings, wells, grain bins, culverts, and equipment yards, and repairing fences and farm buildings. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. 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. Assist with 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.

Special Requirements

Three months of row crop farmwork experience required. Lift and carry up to 60 lbs., climb 80 ft. ladders and work outside in cold, hot and/or wet conditions and elevated
environments. Endure extensive walking, prolonged bending, reaching, pushing and pulling. Must be 18 years or older. Hazardous occupation. Employer is a Drug Free Workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.