Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

The Agricultural Equipment Operator's essential work activities involve loading and transport of the highly perishable sugarcane crop. Once the raw sugarcane crop is cut, meaning the sugarcane stalks are severed from their roots by a self-powered mechanical harvesting machine, the sugarcane is mechanically deposited into the field cart that is moved by the equipment operator to a location on the farm for loading. The operator is not hauling the harvested sugarcane off the farm. The worker will be moving it by a tractor to a location for loading after the sugarcane has been cut mechanically. The Agricultural Equipment Operator will transport the harvested sugarcane from the growing field to a designated area in the field on the location within the same field or to another close-by location on the farmer's land that is a concentration point wherein-the sugarcane is then loaded onto railcars for transportation by locomotive. Once arriving at the closest available concentration point, the operator must see to the safe loading of the sugarcane into a railcar. Equipment operators will operate from field to field and farm to farm as sugarcane is progressively harvested on the property. There are multiple elevator rail loading stations on its property that serve as concentration points. The agricultural equipment operator before moving their assigned tractor on the farm, the operator will complete a pre-trip inspection of the tractor, wagons, harvester and other equipment used in the process of harvesting sugarcane. The inspection is including adding engine fluid, checking brakes and tires, and fueling equipment. The operator is required to complete each step of the transportation process from the in-field loading station through the off-loading onto rail cars at the farm’s closest available concentration point as directed by a designated representative of the harvest superintendent, as part of necessary field-to-processing facility activities for the sugarcane crop harvest. The agricultural equipment operator plays multiple essential steps in the on-farm work of harvesting the sugarcane crop. Other general duties include the following: operation of harvesters, payloaders (wheel loader), loading ramp, dumping cable, bulldozer, drive, attach, and operate farm trucks and trailers including those fitted with road dust control equipment, burn tanks, drip torches, parts trailers, fuel tanks and water tanks that are integral to the work of timely and efficiently loading, moving and off-loading harvested sugarcane, a perishable agricultural crop, from the growing field directly to the closest available field rail concentration point on the farm. Additional tasks incidental to equipment operations: shoveling, hoeing, cleaning in and around loading stations. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels and rakes. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Operate pressure washer, light tower and air compressor. Clean harvesting equipment as needed.

Any agricultural equipment operator with a possession of a valid driver’s license who drives the van or bus to and from the work site will be compensated at the hourly rate for all driving time, fueling, cleaning and inspection of the vehicle.

Special Requirements

Southern Gardens Groves Corp is offering work on sugarcane farms, handling manual/machine tasks associated with production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Weekend work is required. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug and alcohol testing required. Employer reserves the right to also perform periodic Random, Reasonable Cause & Post-Accident Testing.

Workers must have and maintain a clean driving record, and be able to obtain an insurable driver's license to operate company vehicles.

Employer requires all workers to take and pass an employer-paid drug test before starting work. In result of a positive test, the worker will be immediately terminated and sent home. If any work has been completed, the worker will be paid for all hours worked between the first date of employment and the date of termination.