Planter, Laborer

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans. Operate tractors, farm vehicles and agricultural equipment to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalks that have been segmented using machetes. Workers will work in groups while walking behind moving wagons and will 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. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Perform manual shovel work. Dig, clear and maintain ditches to drain water from fields. Pull weeds by hand. Minor activities may include repairing fences, farm buildings and agricultural equipment. Till soil. Applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Cleaning and loading harvested product. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Using the employers vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist in 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. 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. Sit, bend, reach, walk, push, pull, stoop and kneel repetitively. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Must be 18 years or older. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.