Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane by hand or machine. Operate vehicles, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate use tractor to move seed to the appropriate field. Use hand tools such as shovels, machetes and knives. Clean and load harvested products. Load field wagons with sugarcane stalk segments. Work in groups to plant sugarcane while walking behind moving wagon. Place and straighten stalk segments into open furrow rows at specified intervals/overlaps. Pick up dropped sugarcane in fields. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Assist with cleaning equipment using steam cleaner or high pressure water hose. Duties may include tilling soil, weeding crops and applying fertilizers. Repair fences and farm buildings. Clear and maintain ditches for drainage. Inform farm managers of crop progress. Farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers and 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.

During the sugarcane planting season, workers may be requested to report to work as early as 5:30 am. Tractors pulling wagons have adequate lighting to enable early morning planting. During harvest season, workers may be requested to report to work as early as 1:00 AM. Start time will be communicated the previous day.
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 working with sugarcane required. Sit, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, lift and carry up to 50 lbs. for prolonged periods of time. Requires physical stamina. Work in inclement weather including extreme heat and/or rain. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.