Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Cultivate and harvest sugarcane by hand or machine. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, grain auger, and self propelled machinery. Follow harvester on foot through field picking up dropped cane. Haul cane to the mill. Assist in preparing fields for planting. Worker will unload pre-cut sugarcane stalks that measure 6-10 feet long from supply wagon at fields. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon. Place and straighten stalk segments into open furrow rows at specified intervals/overlaps. Use machetes to chop stalks into 24 - 36 inch lengths. Ride, walk, stoop, bend, reach, chop or kneel repetitively while planting sugarcane by hand for prolonged periods of time. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, and knives. Dig ditches with a shovel and clear ditches for drainage. Till soil; transplant, weed, thin crops; clean, pack, and load harvested products. Ensure that hopper is filled and emptied properly. Workers may plant sugarcane and plant and harvest soybeans. Construct trellises and repair fences and farm buildings. Walk fields to check on and maintain adequate water supply to crops. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. Clean, repair and maintain farm vehicles, machinery, specialized machinery and agricultural equipment, including grain augers associated with module packers. Clean in and around work areas for inspection. Perform general farm maintenance including weed and grass control. Workers are responsible for farm, field and shed sanitation duties.Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may operate vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist in Good Agricultural Practices policies. Workers will inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.

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.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable experience operating agricultural equipment applicable to planting, cultivating or harvesting sugarcane is required. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, chop, push, pull, and kneel for extended periods of time while planting sugarcane. Work outside in extremely hot, cold, and/ or wet weather. Requires physical stamina. 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.