Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
alfalfa, Bermuda grass, rye, cotton.
This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience, preferably on a hay farm, handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and operating agricultural equipment. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency.

Work in fields. Perform manual and machine tasks associated with grain and hay crops production, including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing; weed spraying with spray rig; mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking hay; and operating grain carts. Workers will drive tractors and balers. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs.

Workers will operate tractors, planters, sprayers, cultivators and general tillage equipment. Workers will be expected to be able to operate equipment, with or without direction, in a manner that protects the operator, other employees, crops, trees, facilities and equipment. Failure to comply with operating and safety standards may result in termination. Workers will assist with the maintenance and repair of tractors and equipment.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling product weighing up to 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 30 to over 110 degrees F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs.

Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Field workers will be expected to perform their general duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.

Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required at random.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

All workers will be subject to a trial period of up to five days during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker if the employer reasonably finds worker's performance during the trial period to be unacceptable.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience, preferably on a hay crop farm, handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and operating agricultural equipment. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.