Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans by hand or machine. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, grain auger, and self propelled machinery. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, shears and knives. Follow harvester on foot through field picking up dropped cane. Assist in preparing fields for planting. Workers will remove pre-cut sugarcane stalks from supply trailer and manually place and straighten predetermined numbers of sugarcane stalks into an open furrow at specific intervals/overlaps. Walk behind field wagon and hand plant sugarcane at designated intervals in furrow rows. Workers will dig ditches with shovel, stoop, bend, and reach while planting. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Assist with mechanical planting of soybeans, ensuring that hopper is filled and emptied properly. Clear ditches for drainage. Walk fields to check on and maintain adequate water supply to crops. Clean augers and dump pits for inspection. Perform general farm maintenance including weed and grass control. Workers are responsible for farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Assist in Good Agricultural Practices policies. Workers will inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. 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.

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 agricultural equipment operation experience required. Perform prolonged walking, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of up to 50 lbs. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. 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.