Job Details

Agricultural Equipment Operators, Farm Workers And Laborers

This is an application for agricultural equipment operators, farm workers, and laborers for a farm that grows tomatoes, sweet corn, berries, pumpkins, and garden vegetables along with other row and field crops, like triticale. All other duties assigned. This is a skill level I position, and the employer requires at least 2 months of general farm labor, irrigation, and agricultural equipment operator experience. Workers that possess a valid driver's license and be insurable may drive vehicles to transport crops, equipment, supplies, and workers.

Irrigation Job Duties:

Hand lines:

1. Connect pipes
2. Check the alignment of pipe and adjust for proper water distribution
3. Attach lines to water supply
4. Turn on pump
5. Turn valves to start flow of water
6. Disassemble lines and carry pipes across fields at specified intervals
7. Move pipes through freshly irrigated crop and/or plowed fields where mud may be deep at times
8. Lift and carry pipe sections weighing approximately 60 pounds on a sustained basis

Flood Irrigation:

1. Lift gate inside of flooded irrigation ditch/pipe permitting water to flow into bordered section of field
2. Shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment of cut trenches in high areas to direct waterflow
3. Close gates in ditch/pipe when bordered section is flooded
4. Open gate or connect pipe to underground pipe system that releases water flow into reservoir or ditch
5. Siphon water from flooded reservoir or ditch to channel water into designated areas
6. Shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water
7. Mix and apply proper solutions to fill holes/cracks in pipes, ditches, and spillways, and make minor repairs to metal, concrete, and wooden frameworks in pipe and ditch valves and gates

Drip Irrigation:

Workers will lay drip tape and remove drip tape in fields during the growing season. They will inspect, monitor, and repair drip system daily.

Other Irrigation Duties:

1. Remove pipes/wheel lines from storage and lay out/place in predetermined patterns in fields
2. Lubricate, adjust, repair and replace parts such as sprinkler heads and drive chains using hand tools
3. Observe revolving sprinklers and adjust to ensure proper operation and uniform distribution of water
4. Disassemble, service, and store pipe/mainlines/wheel lines after irrigation season

Row crop garden vegetable job duties:

Harvest fresh cut flowers and row crop vegetables, such as corn, berries, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, squash, pumpkins, sweet corn, and beans by hand or using a knife, according to method appropriate for type of vegetable. Ascertains picking assignment from supervisor and places work aids, such as bucket, bins, and tie wires, in assigned area. Picks vegetable from plant or soil or cuts vegetable from stem or root. Puts vegetable in container or lays bunches of vegetables along row for collection. Carries containers or armloads of bunched vegetables to collection point. Loads vegetables on to trucks.

Workers may also:

• Operate, tend or maintain equipment used in agricultural production and field preparation such as tractors, pick-ups, non-CDL, farm exempt truck(s) that pull trailer, ATVs, irrigation equipment, and other commonly used equipment in agriculture.
• May drive non-CDL, farm exempt truck(s) pulling trailers to deliver produce from fields to farm and market.
• Mix and spray chemicals such as herbicide, fungicide, and pesticides to protect crops.
• Move, stack and haul haybales.
• Hoe and weed row crop and vegetable fields.
• Install and remove mulch and plastic between field rows.
• Workers may also assist in seasonal duties such as picking up trash and debris from farm property, cleaning, and repairs and maintenance of farm buildings, and cleaning of irrigation ditches.

The anticipated hours listed represent the normal work schedule. Due to the nature of these crops, weather, and the requirement to send crops to customers when needed, it is the prevailing practice to work more or different hours than those listed. A worker may be offered more than the specified hours of work, maybe offered work on federal holidays or the worker's Sabbath as nursery/farm labor may need to take place seven days a week; however, the worker will not be required to work for more than the number of hours specified in the job order, or on the worker's Sabbath or Federal holidays. Saturday work will be required. Workday start times vary depending on the weather. Depending on the time of year, hours of daylight, and production requirements. There may be periods when little or no work will be available due to weather, time of year, and the requirements of the cropping or growing season. Workers must be able to work varying shifts as required by the season and work performed. Workers are notified of any change in the start times. Work may be performed during rain, light snow, cold, freezing temperatures and/or in high humidity and in temperatures over a 100 degrees F. Worker may be required to work in fields when crops are wet with dew/rain and should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions. Workers' job duties