Cotton Gin Operators

Job description

Operate, repair, and maintain farm vehicles, implements and mechanical equipment. Operate various pieces of equipment, including, but not limited to, a module unwrapper, a bale strapper, a bale hoister, skid steer, forklift, front end loader, cotton module feeder and baling press. Operate equipment in a manner to protect the operator, other workers, products and equipment. 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). Perform safety checks on equipment and gin machinery. Assist the gin operator with various duties such as making repairs to the equipment, clearing blockages, cleaning lint filters, refilling supplies, sweeping floors, removing trash buildup and picking up cotton on yard. Press, sample, module feed and rake loose cotton. Stack boxes onto pallets, transport vehicles or trailers. Load and unload seed, crops and materials. Use hoister to load cotton and mote bales onto vehicles for transport. Load cotton modules, bring them to the feeder, feed wires on press, un-tarp modules, move bales from press to bale slab. Tie, tag and bag bales of cotton as they come out of the press. Roll USDA Government Samples. Harvest cotton and peanuts by machine. Clean and maintain all grounds and facilities. Pick up trash, clean bathrooms, sweep floors and perform other farm and shed sanitation duties. Observe safe operating rules and follow employer's directions. Workers with a valid driver's licenses may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Workers with proper documentation, license, experience and qualifies for insurance coverage may operate commercial vehicles to transport product. 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.

There will be two shifts occurring for the entire contract. The first shift will begin at 7:00am and end at 7:00pm, Monday-Saturday. The second shift will begin at 7:00pm and end at 7:00am, Monday-Saturday.
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.

Special Requirements

Perform repetitive movements, extensive walking, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 85 lbs., two man lift. Work may be outside in inclement weather conditions. Must be 18 years or older. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative drug test results are required before starting work.