Farm Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to cultivate, rogue and irrigate crops by hand and to mechanically plant, cultivate, and harvest rice, corn and soybeans. Store grain and clean grain bins. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray, harvest and load crops. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, machinery and specialized machinery and agricultural equipment, including grain augers associated with module packers and grain bins used for storing and transporting farm products. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers and knives. Form dirt to creat and maintain levees. Install and remove levy gates. Check rice fields daily for water levels. Complete end of season draining of fields with shovels. Receive rice crop for drying and storage at drying grain facility. Clean grain bins, surrounding sites, grain pits and work areas. Dispose of spoiled grain from pit and elevator area. Chop grass out of fields. Ensure hoppers are filled properly in mechanical harvesting. Till soil and weed crops. Repair fences and farm buildings. Participate in irrigation activities, including setting up and operating irrigation equipment, clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches. Apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to crops. Workers will load and spread manure fertilizer. Workers will unload grain bins and load into trucks. 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.

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 of farmwork experience required. Work outside in extremely hot, cold or wet weather, perform prolonged walking, sitting, bending, reaching, pushing,
pulling and lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., climbing 6'-50' ft ladders in grain bins. Hazardous Occupation. Employer is a Drug Free Workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.