Farmworker

Job duties

Original text, as filed with the Department of Labor.

Crops/Commodities: Cattle, Hay, Rice.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Plant and harvest and water rice. Rogue rice fields on foot when fields are under full flood. Remove off-type rice varieties and other plants from each field using hand tools to maintain rice seed purity, in accordance with applicable quality standards. Receive rice crops for drying and storage at drying facility. Clean and sanitize bins and worksite area.

Workers will be expected to work with cattle. Sort, feed, move, and rotate cattle as needed. Perform manual and/or mechanized duties associated with the breeding, care, and raising of livestock on a ranch. Feed and water livestock. Herd animals into corral and/or stall. Manually restrain animals. Maintain/repair fences used to contain herd animals. Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the care of livestock. Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies. Prepare and sanitize pens, barns and hutches for new livestock. Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain. Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition. Workers may be asked to harvest soybeans and corn for feeding the cattle in the warmer months before they can fully graze.

Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos. Drive trucks (GVW under 10,000 lbs.), tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.
Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Pesticide products are purchased over the counter for use by the general public and do not require a pesticide applicator license for purchase or application.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operators, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Maintain and repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required in variable weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, wind, direct sun, high humidity, etc.). Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work may involve prolonged periods of standing/walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (tools, equipment, etc.).

Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 2 months of verifiable agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with production of cattle, hay/straw or rice. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Saturday work is on voluntary basis. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required. Workers with clean driving record and/or insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles. Employer-paid post-hire random drug testing required. Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles (GVW under 10,000 lbs.). Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may transport other workers.

Benefits and conditions