Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Duties include machine harvesting, stacking, loading/unloading blueberries and forklift and tractor operation. Other duties may include hand harvesting, base pruning, cutting-trimming, staking plants, pulling weeds, repairing irrigation, applying fertilizer, and performing general farm labor. This will be done under extreme weather conditions such as heat and direct sunlight, cold weather, possible rain, wind and exposure to pollen. Physical conditions will include but are not limited to heavy bending and stooping. Heavy lifting will be involved on a daily basis.

Workers will work in teams to machine harvest and stack blueberries. Workers will either operate the machine harvester, stack blueberries in lugs on belt line on top of the machine harvester, drive and operate a forklift to load and unload the blueberry lugs, or drive and operate a tractor to haul trailer full of blueberry lugs to field packing shed. Operators of machine harvesters must be careful to avoid damaging blueberry bushes. Forklift and tractor operators must take care to not drop lugs, which may be empty or full of blueberries. All workers must always follow safety rules.

The employer will provide the tools necessary to perform the described job duties without charge to the worker. The employer will charge to the workers for reasonable costs related to the worker's refusal or negligent failure to return the tools or due to such worker's willful damage or destruction of the tools.

Sanitation Requirements: For food and general safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when working in agricultural crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields. All workers must report all injuries, illnesses and/or disease. Workers shall report immediately any cuts or abrasions that cause open bleeding. No tobacco, food, gum, candy, drink (other than water), drugs or medication is allowed while working in the field. No jewelry, watches or fingernails longer than 1/8" are allowed. No open toe shoes or sandals are permitted. Glass bottles, drinking glasses, or any item made from glass are prohibited in the field. Improper hygiene will not be tolerated. Keep restrooms, rest areas and portable facilities in the field clean for others.

Special Requirements

Workers must adhere to all safety rules as instructed by supervisors and practice safety in all aspects of work. The employer is a drug-free workplace and has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol in the workplace and in the employer-provided housing.