Ag Equipment Operators

Job description

Operate farm vehicles, equipment, tractors, tractor-drawn machinery to mechanically harvest sugarcane. Cane stalks are severed from their roots and mechanically deposited into a field cart that is moved by tractor to a location within-the-growing field for pick up. Ensure hoppers are filled properly in mechanical harvesting. Clean and maintain vehicles and farm equipment. Participate in irrigation activities, including setting up and operating irrigation equipment, clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches. Clean in and around trailers, carts, wagons and work areas. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport 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 a paid 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.

Workers are scheduled to work 6 days/week, from 5:00 am until 5:00 pm, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm or from 3:00 am until 3:00 pm. Conditions that may cause the total hours to vary include weather (rain, fog), roads, mechanical breakdowns, and rate of harvest.
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. Regardless of whether the employer requires a background check as a condition of employment, the employer may terminate for cause, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, any worker found during the period of employment to have a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender that the employer reasonably believes will endanger the safety or welfare of other workers, company staff, customers, or the public at large.

Special Requirements

Three months of experience operating agricultural equipment required. Agricultural Equipment Operators are required to pass a drug and alcohol test prior to operating equipment. Must comply with safety requirements and good agricultural practices. Workers will sit for extended periods of time and perform repetitive movements. Drug testing will be conducted post-hire but before operating any equipment. Such drug and alcohol testing will be performed at the expense of the employer. Negative results are required before starting work.