Equipment Operator

Job description

Operate tractors, agricultural equipment, forestry equipment, and farm vehicles. Cut trees or logs. Evaluate log quality. Grade logs according to characteristics such as knot size and straightness, and according to established industry or company standards. Operate and maneuver tractors and tree harvesters to shear the tops off of trees, cut and limb the trees, and cut the logs into desired lengths. Operate tractors equipped with accessories such as bulldozer blades, grapples, logging arches, cable winches, hoisting racks, and crane booms to fell tree, skid, load, unload, or stack logs, pull stumps, or clear brush. Control hydraulic tractors equipped with tree clamps and booms to lift, swing, and bunch sheared trees. Drive crawler or wheeled tractors to drag or transport logs from felling sites to log landing areas for processing and loading. Inspect loads to ensure that timber is secure. Secure timber for transport using ropes, blocks, chains, binders, or covers. Operate stand-alone logging machines such as log chippers. Operate equipment to build or repair logging and skid roads. Operate tractors and equipment to move wagons and trailer. Duties may include limbing, bucking, debarking, loading, unloading, storing, and transporting machines, equipment, and personnel to, from and between logging sites. Drive trucks to/from delivery and pickup destinations or weigh stations. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging; disking; aerating; fertilizing, weed spraying and mowing. Use mowers and weed eaters on employer's premises and around buildings and equipment. Clean and maintain work areas, grounds, and facilities. Repair fences and farm buildings. Perform farm, field, and shed sanitation duties. Repair and maintain vehicles, implements, ATVs, agricultural equipment, and forestry equipment. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on equipment. Inspect equipment for safety prior to use and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks. Clean and perform routine service on equipment. Handle equipment carefully to prevent damage. Observe safe operating rules and follow employer's directions. Handle equipment carefully to prevent damage. Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. 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.

Special Requirements

Three months of experience operating heavy equipment required. Perform repetitive movements, extensive sitting, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Lift up to 60 lbs. Work may be outside in inclement weather conditions. Must be 18 years or older. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. A valid drivers license is required. All applicants must have or be able to obtain a valid drivers license.