Farm Worker

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane, soybeans and wheat. Hand plant sugarcane in rows at designated intervals. Drain excess water from fields. Chop/segment sugarcane stalks with machetes or other tools as directed by employer. Operate and control sugarcane combine, and/or follow harvester on foot through field and pick up dropped sugarcane. Transport harvested sugar cane on farm. Load seed into hoppers. Rogue soybean on foot. Remove off-type soybean varieties and other plants using hand tools. Load and unload crop, seed, supplies, materials and on a smaller scale bales of hay. Dig and maintain ditches and water levels. Apply fertilizers, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes and shovels. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences. Drive tractors and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; fertilizing, weed spraying and mowing. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, bobcats, skid loaders, and trucks or other vehicles. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs. Clean and maintain employer's premises. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers, supplies/materials and/or haul grain to elevator and may be offered additional hours. 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.

Special Requirements

Three months experience required working in sugarcane. Work outside in inclement weather including hot, humid, cold and/or wet conditions. Walk, stoop, bend, kneel, reach, push and pull repetitively. Lift, carry, load and unload up to 60 lbs. Climb ladders up to 16 ft. Valid drivers license required. Obtain a Louisiana drivers license, when required by law upon arrival. 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.