Farm Workers

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest rice, soybeans, corn and wheat by hand or machine. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels and hoes. Lift up to 60 pounds of seed. Rogue rice, soybean and corn fields by walking fields on foot to remove undesirable off type varieties and other indigenous off type plants for purity of variety in production. These fields must pass inspection. Walking each field is required. Water soybean and corn fields using a shovel, hoe and poly pipe. Clear and maintain irrigation ditches and drainage ditches. Build, maintain, repair, open and close levee gates. Put down spillway openings, drain excess water, remove levee gates and regulate proper water depth in rice fields. Rice, soybean and corn crops must be checked to maintain adequate water supply. Ability to set up and maintain irrigation equipment for flood and furrows irrigation on all crops is required. Till soil and apply fertilizer. Weed and load harvested products. Repair fences and farm buildings. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate and harvest crops. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers in vehicles provided and insured by the employer and 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 of experience working in rice fields and agricultural equipment operation required. Perform prolonged bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, walking, reaching and heavy lifting up to 60 lbs. Workers are required to walk in thick mud to check for standing water. Work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.