Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Tractor/Forklift Operation during Field/Packinghouse Operations: Worker may operate tractors, forklift, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery for land preparation, maintenance and cultivation, including fertilize soil and plants, and to plant and cultivate. Worker may operate equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors and implements. Worker may manipulate controls to set, activate and adjust mechanisms and machinery. Worker may attach farm implements such as wagons, trailers, harvesters to tractors, irrigations equipment to tractors or other irrigation equipment or tools, using bolts or hand tools. Worker may load bins and containers onto trucks/trailers/wagons to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer products to transfer trucks. Worker may operate grading and digging equipment. Worker may perform maintenance and troubleshooting to repair equipment.

Worker should inspect, observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions. Stay a safe distance away and do not touch any moving part of a machine. Never try to un-jam clothes, ice or cardboard while machines are running. Do not stand between a moving tractor and implements. Never stand on hitches or ride on fenders of tractors or forklifts. Never ride on the forks of a forklift while in operation. Always practice safety when using equipment ensuring that no one is in front or behind you when operations are taking place. Never remove a safety guard. If a guard is damaged or missing, report it and do not operate the machine. Workers should notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions or is not safe to operate. Worker may repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements and mechanical equipment by adjusting, repairing, and servicing them. Any worker's negligence, resulting in damage to any machinery or equipment will be cause for disciplinary actions, up to and including termination. Worker may mix specified materials and chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, and seeds into planter and sanitation equipment. Workers may operate tractors and/or forklifts to plant, gather, harvest, pack, produce, irrigate and any other operation needed to complete all farm related activities.

All equipment should be driven safely and, in a manner, to protect operator, other workers, products, crops and other equipment. Failure to obey requirements and operating instructions will be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Any equipment operated during foggy and/or at dusk or dawn and/or low visibility conditions requires operator to take extra care and/or turn provided flashing lights on and verify their operation before driving or operating on state and/or public roads. If light is not available, a vehicle equipped with such equipment must be in immediately in front of and immediately behind tractors and/or towed equipment. Worker must ensure that a red flashing light must be visible at 500 feet of distance to an oncoming vehicle. Violation of this policy will result in termination of employment.

Pay will be hourly.

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in farm equipment operation and truck driving to deliver product tied to the growing of the following crops: Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage Varieties, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Chard, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fall Decorative Squash, Green Bell Peppers, Greens, Herbs, Kohlrabi, Lettuces, Peppers, Pickling Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, and Watermelons.

Experience Requirement: 8 verifiable months of commercial CDL Class A experience driving a manual multi-speed transmission truck with a minimum of a 53 ft. long trailer. Applicants must possess a valid drivers license with CDL Class A endorsement or international equivalent. Applicants must be able to read and write. Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the last 3 years establishing acceptable prior experience. Applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to become fully vaccinated upon arrival at the farm.