Agricultural Equipment Operator (45-2091.00)

Employers crops are Rice, Corn, and Soybeans. & Wheat: Workers will perform a variety of manual tasks appropriate for grain crops including winter groundwork. Workers will help in preparing the land for planting. This may include attaching farm implements such as a plow, disc, and drill to tractor. May drive a tractor in field to till soil in preparation of planting. Worker may apply various types of fertilizer to the soil and plants. These bags can weigh 75 lbs. Workers will remove undesirable and excess growth, such as weeds by hand. Carries supplies such as bags and bailing wires to the fields. Clears irrigation ditches, using shovel. Workers may husk and shell corn. Loads and unloads trucks, unloads grain onto conveyors to storage bins or elevators. Cleans and lubricates farm machines.

Farm Equipment Operation During Field Operations: Workers will be required to operate tractors, combines, and other farm equipment during field operations as an incidental activity in the production of crops. Workers will use mechanical sweet potato harvesting equipment. Before any worker is required to operate any farm equipment, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation of tractor. Workers must notify supervisor of any mechanical issues. Workers will be required to operate tractors according to instructions and in a manner that protects the operator, other workers, trees, crops and equipment. Repeated failure to obey operating and safety instructions may result in termination.

Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities. All workers must report all injuries and illnesses to their employer. As well any communicable disease such as but not limited to diarrhea, or any other infectious disease or illness. Workers shall report immediately any cuts or abrasions that cause open bleeding.

GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CROPS: Field work begins at assigned time usually shortly after daylight. Work environment will be dirty, dusty, and damp, with temperature fluctuations according to the season. Work is performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 100+ degrees to below 35 degrees F. Workers must have multi-limb coordination ability while standing, walking, and climbing for long periods while pruning and harvesting. Workers will work on their feet in bent position for long periods of time. Workers will supply their own work clothes. Workers must be able to lift up to 75 lbs. consistently throughout the day. Workers will make repetitive movements, extensive pushing, pulling, and walking. Workers may be required to perform work, on the farm, that is incidental to farming the crops listed in the application, such as performing hand cultivation tasks, bedding and potting plants, weeding or hoeing, cleaning and repairing farm buildings, pallets, seed beds, racks, grounds, mowing, weed eating, operate tractor/farm equipment, sprayers, incidental crop set up, move irrigation pipes and equipment, gardening, weeding and shrubbing, etc. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.

Work and/or harvest specifications can change from time to time during the season due to crop or market conditions, even on the same crop. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each day’s work. Workers must always notify the supervisor or designated employee at the beginning and end of shift and communicating any reason for leaving the field to supervisor or designated employee.

Requirements: 2 months of experience. All applicants must have at least 2 months experience working as an Agricultural Equipment Operator. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.