Agricultural Equipment Operators

Work description

Crops/Commodities: Farm Work: sugarcane and soybeans. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Plant, cultivate and harvest sugarcane and soybeans by hand or machine. Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, grain auger, and self propelled machinery. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, shears and knives. Follow harvester on foot through field picking up dropped cane. Assist in preparing fields for planting. Workers will remove pre-cut sugarcane stalks from supply trailer and manually place and straighten predetermined numbers of sugarcane stalks into an open furrow at specific intervals/overlaps. Walk behind field wagon and hand plant sugarcane at designated intervals in furrow rows. Workers will dig ditches with shovel, stoop, bend, and reach while planting. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment. Assist with mechanical planting of soybeans, ensuring that hopper is filled and emptied properly. Clear ditches for drainage. Walk fields to check on and maintain adequate water supply to crops. Clean augers and dump pits for inspection. Perform general farm maintenance including weed and grass control. Workers are responsible for farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Assist in Good Agricultural Practices policies. Workers will inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers in vehicles provided and insured by the employer and 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. Job opportunity is Skill Level II. Workers must be able to perform all primary duties independently and without close supervision. 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. 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 will have an unpaid lunch break. TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property. In assessing whether workers' performance meets reasonable expectations, employer evaluates, among other reasonable criteria, whether the worker: (1) has adequately complied with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures; (2) has complied with all health and safety guidelines, including the use of tools or equipment in accordance with best practices to protect the employer's property, crops, and in a manner that avoids injury or damage; (3) has treated company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.

View the official U.S. Department of Labor source

Last updated: October 7, 2026