Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
catfish, cattle, hay/straw.
Perform manual duties related to fish farming. Prepare, repair and clean hatchery, spawning containers, and brood ponds. Remove and transport spawns. Acclimate eggs from pond environment to hatchery. Hand pick eggs by hand. Move and feed fry daily. Clean, maintain, and disinfect hatching troughs and baskets. Perform general hatchery cleanup. Treat eggs for fungus and bacteria. Remove spawning containers and consolidate brood fish to holding ponds. Fertilize fry ponds by hand and with mechanized spreaders. Maintain facilities and equipment by cleaning, weeding, cutting grass, removing debris, etc. Deploy and maintain harvest equipment and nets. Harvest brood fish, fingerlings and food fish from ponds using mechanized seining equipment. Monitor water temperature and oxygen levels. Drain pond and place fish in hauling containers. Collect and remove any mortalities.

Perform manual and/or mechanized duties associated with the breeding, care, and raising of livestock on a ranch. Feed and water livestock. Herd livestock to pasture for grazing. Herd animals into corral and/or stall. Manually restrain animal. Maintain/repair fences used to contain herd animals.

Drive tractors, planters, and balers, and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest hay. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing, weed spraying, mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.

Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use. Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may transport other workers.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience working in a livestock farm or ranch handling both manual and mechanized tasks including operating agricultural equipment and agricultural field work associated with production of catfish, cattle and hay/straw. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required upon suspicion of use. Workers with clean driving record and/or insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.