Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Perform manual labor to maintain pecan and peach orchards including pruning and thinning trees, and harvest pecans and/or peaches by hand or harvesting equipment. Farm vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance. Use hand tools such as clippers, shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears and knives. Till soil, transplant, weed, thin and prune crops; clean and load harvested products; count and check in field; cut and drag broken limbs from field and mow; remove any vines, suckers, shoots or debris that may deter the function or growth of trees. Set up and operate irrigation equipment. Clear, install and maintain irrigation system. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, forklift and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crop or to load bins, totes or pallets of peaches and pecans. Workers must be at least 18 years of age to operate farm equipment such as forklifts, tractors and harvesters. Drive vehicles to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers. Construct or repair trellising. Repair farm buildings, structures, and fences. Maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Apply pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers to crops. Inform orchard managers of crop progress. Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, and yields. Workers must have a general understanding of how pruning affects competition with fruiting wood and how thinning is done to provide nutrition to the developing fruit. Improper pruning can cause problems with fruit load, fruit size, disease severity, and overall production. Record product, packaging and order information on specified forms and records. Apply tags or printed labels to containers. Measure, weigh, count and record finished products. Examine and inspect containers, and materials to ensure that packing specifications are met. Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas using cleaning solutions and hand tools. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive employer's vans or other transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist with 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. Coin operated laundry machines located on Pearson Farm premises available for workers who do not wish to use free laundry equipment provided in each housing unit.

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

Two months of verifiable fruit orchard experience required. Work outside in inclement weather, especially extreme heat or cold for extensive periods of time; perform prolonged bending, stooping, standing, pushing/pulling and walking; use of repetitive hand movements while pruning, thinning, picking peaches, spreading fertilizer or grading crops; use a stool or 2 ft ladder to reach tree limbs; reach overhead for extended periods of time while pruning trees; lift, carry and load up to 50 lbs.; and hoist up to 30 lbs. overhead and support 35 lbs. over the shoulder while walking for prolonged periods of time. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.