Farm Worker

Job description

Plant, cultivate, and harvest soybeans, rice and corn. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, shears, and knives. Operate and clean farm vehicles and agricultural equipment. Provide field preparation and field clean up including burning fields and using equipment to clear and level fields. Weed and thin crops. Till soil and apply fertilizer and pesticides. Participate in irrigation activities, such as setting up, operating, and maintaining irrigation equipment. Dig, clear and maintain ditches to drain water from fields. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Walk fields to check on and maintain adequate water supply to crops. Use shovels for end of season draining of fields. Form and maintain levees. Put down spillway openings, drain excess water, remove levee gates and regulate proper water depth in rice fields. Move equipment between locations. Load and unload harvested products. Perform general farm maintenance. Clean in and around work areas and employer’s premises. Repair and maintain fences, buildings, and grounds. Load and unload product, materials and supplies. Licensed drivers may drive inspected vehicles to transport workers, pick up materials and supplies. As a minor activity, assist with minor maintenance and repairs on farm vehicles and agricultural equipment.
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. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Three months of farm work experience required. Walk, stoop, bend, push and pull for prolonged periods of time. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lbs. Work outside in inclement weather conditions.