Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and hay. Operate farm vehicles, tractors and agricultural equipment. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Duties may include plowing, harrowing, tilling soil, weeding crops, baling hay and applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Clean and load harvested products. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalks that have been segmented using machetes. Walk behind wagons and hand plant sugarcane at designated
intervals in furrows. Repair fences and farm buildings. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements and agricultural equipment. Operate farm vehicles to load sugarcane onto trailers to assist with the completion of the harvest process. Dig, clear and maintain ditches to drain water
from fields. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist in 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. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Persons seeking employment in this
position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. 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 if the employer
reasonably finds worker's performance during the introductory period to be unacceptable. 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. All terms and conditions included in the job order will apply equally to all workers, both U.S. workers and H-2A workers, employed in the occupation described in this job order. Raises and/or bonuses may be offered to any seasonal worker employed pursuant to this job order, at the company's sole discretion, based on individual factors including work performance, skill, and tenure.

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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. 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.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a 2 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 2 day introductory period if the worker's performance fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the 2 day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer's recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Special Requirements

3 months experience Agriculture Equipment Operator Bend, reach, push, pull, walk and sit for prolonged periods of time. Lift and carry 50 lbs. Walk, stoop, or kneel when planting sugarcane by hand. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Must be 18 years or older. Hazardous occupation. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire, under suspicion, at random and post accident at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.