45-2091.00 Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities or the packing facility for packing operations.

Agricultural Equipment Operation: Worker will operate forklifts, tractors and other equipment in the planting, cultivating, shipping and packing operation. Workers will also operate trucks or other vehicles. Worker may perform preventive maintenance and troubleshooting repair on equipment. Worker should inspect, observe, and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions. Stay a safe distance away and do not touch any moving part of a machine. Never try to un-jam clothes, ice or cardboard while machines are running. Do not stand between a moving tractor and implement. Never stand on the hitch. Always place chocks at the back of tires on a trailer. Never remove a safety guard. If a guard is damaged or missing, report it and do not operate the machine. Worker should notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions or is not safe. Worker may repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment by adjusting, repairing, and servicing them. Any worker’s negligence, resulting in damage to any machinery or equipment, will be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Working team leaders. Some workers may be chosen based on experience, tenure, and workers shown to have excelled in operating the farms, farm equipment. These workers may receive a higher wage rate than what is listed.

GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CROPS: Fieldwork begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work may be performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 110 degrees to below 20 degrees F. Workers will perform the majority of tasks standing in the upright position and can expect to stand on their feet for extended periods of time. Workers can/will lift 75 lbs. during workday. Some tasks, however, require workers to perform activities on their feet in stooped or crouched position for long periods of time. Workers will supply their own work clothes. All the tasks in this Job Description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.

The employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able to but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product.

During certain duties, workers may be required to work in teams to accomplish a certain task. When engaged in team work activities workers must coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish the task.

Full Crop Commitment: This is regular work, seven hours per day, Monday-Friday, and five hours on Saturday for the full remainder of the period of employment. The worker agrees to work for assigned employer(s) whenever work is available during the full remaining period of employment even though work may be slack at times. The worker understands that if the worker quits or is terminated for cause prior to the end of the period of employment, the worker will not receive the 3/4 guarantees and will not receive certain transportation reimbursements. Excessive tardiness and/or absences will not be tolerated and will result in termination.

Special Requirements

Must have three months verifiable experience operating 55+HP farm equipment. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.