Job Details

Farm And Livestock Worker

Worker will be required to perform a variety of duties related to the production of alfalfa, barley, grass/pasture, and livestock for the majority of the workdays in the overall contract period, commensurate with the duties encompassed within the five SOC codes comprising the field and livestock workers (combined) category.

Applicants must have 20 days experience with farm, and irrigation work, and livestock care, and provide the contact information of at least one reference who can verify experience and performance. Applicants hired must be able to obtain a valid driver's license as driving on public roads may be required. Applicants must be able to lift 100 pounds. Job duties may require split and/or straight shifts depending on crop demands, such as 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Extended hours may be required during peak production periods. Work hours may vary and there may be periods when little or no work will be available due to weather, time of year, and the requirements of the cropping program.

General farm work/irrigation will include the following responsibilities: maintain, drive, attach, and operate farm implements/tractors/equipment to till soil, plant, cultivate, fertilize, and harvest crops; make minor mechanical adjustments and repairs on farm machinery; may mix and/or spray chemicals (according to appropriate restrictive use laws, when/if applicable); remove undesirable and excess growth from crops or farm grounds; remove rocks from field; use weed eater and mower to mow grass along around farm grounds as needed; paint/repair/maintain farm structures; maintain/repair fencing; perform general cleanup of farm areas; drive/load/unload farm trucks; operate vehicle, motor bike, or all-terrain vehicle in the course of performing duties; workers possessing the proper licensure may be asked to transport other farm workers.

Irrigation duties will include the following: flood irrigation: lift gate in side of flooded irrigation ditch/pipe permitting water to flow into bordered section of field; shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment or cut trenches in high areas to direct water flow; close gate in ditch/pipe when bordered section is flooded; open gate or connect pipe to underground pipe system that releases water flow into reservoir or ditch; siphon water from flooded reservoir or ditch to channel water into designated areas; shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water; 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. Other irrigation duties: remove irrigation equipment from storage and lay out/place in fields; lubricate, adjust, repair, and replace parts such as sprinkler heads and drive chains using hand tools; observe revolving sprinklers and adjust to ensure proper operation and uniform distribution of water; maintain/service/repair irrigation equipment/systems; disassemble, service, and store irrigation equipment after irrigation season.

Duties related to the production of livestock will include the following: check physical characteristics, observe general condition of livestock; examine animals to detect illness/injury/disease, rate of weight gain or to determine offspring delivery time; assist in delivery; apply or administer medications, vaccines and/or insecticides; feed/water livestock; place mineral blocks; remove undesirable and excess growth from crops or farm grounds; herd livestock; confine livestock in stalls; clean livestock corrals/stalls/sheds; dock, castrate, brand, clip/tag livestock; hoist/stack bales of hay onto wagon/truck. Other duties to be done intermittently or sporadically will include trimming and removal of unwanted debris and trees encroaching on pastureland; stacking and burning cut brush; operate a chainsaw and wood splitter to cut felled trees to be used for firewood for worker housing; repair and maintain saws; remove dead livestock from pastureland.