Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane. Operate farm vehicles, tractors and agricultural equipment. Prepare fields for planting. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon when needed. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Duties may include plowing, harrowing, tilling soil, weeding crops 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. Mow, cut and weed fields. Assist with cleaning, maintenance, and repairing equipment, 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. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. 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. 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. 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. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Three months experience operating agricultural equipment required. Walk, bend, stoop, reach, kneel, push and pull for prolonged periods of time. Lift and carry up to 30 pounds. Work outside in inclement weather conditions including extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Requires physical stamina. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.