Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest rice, cotton, corn, wheat and soybeans. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Till soil and weed crops. Perform manual shovel work. Load harvested products. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, knives, grain scoops and brooms. Check rice fields daily for water levels. Complete end of season draining of fields with shovel. Receive rice crop for drying and storage at drying facility. Clean grain storage bins and surrounding site according to state requirements. Dispose of spoiled grain from pit and elevator area. Workers will unload grain bins and load into trucks. Chop grass out of fields. Clear and maintain irrigation ditches. Load cotton bales, pick up and load loose cotton. Hand chop and rogue cotton. Assist with mechanical planting of crops, ensuring that hoppers are filled properly. Repair fences, farm buildings and grain bins. Participate in irrigation activities including setting up and operating irrigation equipment. Repair, maintain and operate farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Perform farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs. Workers with licenses may transport other workers and may be offered additional hours.

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 farmwork experience required. Perform prolonged bending, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting and carrying up to 60 lbs. Workers must climb 90 ft. ladders and work in elevated environments at grain storage and grain elevators. Most job duties require workers to work in extreme temperatures ranging from approximately 30-100 degrees in wet or dry conditions. Must be 18 or older. Hazardous Occupation. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.