Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans by hand or machine. Operate farm vehicles, equipment, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, grain auger, and self propelled machinery. Unload pre-cut sugarcane stalks that measure 6-10 feet long from supply wagon at fields. Workers will 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. Pick up dropped cane in fields. Ensure hoppers are filled properly in mechanical harvesting. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers and knives. Till soil. Weed and thin crops. Clean and load harvested products. Clean and maintain vehicles and farm equipment. Apply fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Repair fences and farm buildings. Participate in irrigation activities, including setting up and operating irrigation equipment, clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches. Unload and load grain into trucks. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, machinery, specialized machinery and agricultural equipment, including grain augers associated with module packers and grain bins used for storing and transporting farm products. Clean in and around grain trailers, carts, wagons and work areas. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist with 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 experience operating agricultural equipment required. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and climb 6-50 ladders. Ride, walk, stoop, bend, reach, chop, pull and kneel for extended periods of time while planting sugarcane. Work outside in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather and have physical stamina. Hazardous occupation. Drug testing is conducted randomly as required by workers compensation policy and is at the employer's expense, and is not part of the interview process.