Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane by hand or machine. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Use hand tools such as machetes, shovels, hoes, and knives. Apply fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Weed fields and till soil. Clean and load harvested products. Lift, carry and load bags of seed weighing up to 50 lbs. Load seed into hoppers. Maintain and repair fences and farm buildings. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment to ensure the mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Clear and maintain drainage ditches and complete manual shovel work. Assist with cleaning equipment and work areas which may involve climbing ladders and using a steam cleaner or high pressure water hose. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalks that have been segmented using machetes. Work in groups to plant sugarcane by hand while walking behind moving wagon. Reach and pull to remove pre-cut sugarcane stalks from supply trailer and manually place and straighten predetermined numbers of sugarcane stalks into an open furrow at specific intervals/overlaps while bending or stooping. Set up, operate, repair and maintain irrigation equipment including polypipe. Clean and maintain containers, materials, supplies, and work areas. As a minor activity, tend to cattle. 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. 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.

Special Requirements

One month of agricultural equipment operation experience required. Perform prolonged walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, sitting, lifting and carrying of up to 50 lbs. Climb 25 ft. ladders. Most job duties require workers to work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.