Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job duties

Original text, as filed with the Department of Labor.

Perform agricultural duties and equipment operation related to the production, harvesting, handling, preparation, storage, and commercial seed production of crops grown by the employer. Duties vary according to the agricultural production cycle and weather and crop conditions.

Operate tractors, combines, planters, tillage equipment, sprayers, seed tenders, grain carts, forklifts, loaders, and other agricultural equipment and machinery used to plant, cultivate, maintain, harvest, transport, handle, and store crops. Attach and adjust agricultural implements; load seed, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs; transport crops, seed, supplies, and equipment between fields and the employer’s on-farm facilities; and perform other crop-production activities as required by seasonal conditions.

Operate and monitor stationary agricultural equipment located at the employer’s on-farm grain and seed facilities, including grain-handling, seed-handling, cleaning, sorting, treating, conveying, drying, loading, and related equipment. Receive and handle grain and seed produced by the employer’s farming operation; operate augers, conveyors, hoppers, elevators, forklifts, loaders, and other material-handling equipment; monitor grain and seed condition and storage; move agricultural commodities into and between bins and storage areas; weigh, clean, sort, grade, treat, condition, bag, label, stack, store, load, and otherwise prepare the employer’s grain and seed crops for storage or commercial sale. Monitor machinery during operation, regulate product flow, fill and close bags or containers, and keep grain, seed, and storage areas clean and orderly.

Inspect, service, maintain, and perform routine and necessary repairs to agricultural machinery and the employer’s on-farm grain and seed handling facilities and equipment. Duties may include lubricating equipment; replacing or repairing worn or damaged components; servicing motors, bearings, belts, chains, augers, conveyors, elevators, and other agricultural equipment; troubleshooting equipment malfunctions; and using hand and power tools to make repairs necessary to maintain the employer’s farming and agricultural commodity-handling operations.

Workers must be able and willing to climb ladders, grain bins, platforms, grain-handling structures, and other elevated agricultural structures to inspect, clean, maintain, service, and repair agricultural facilities and equipment. Work may be performed at significant heights and may require the use of appropriate fall-protection and other safety equipment.

Duties vary throughout the contract period according to the agricultural cycle. During planting, growing, and harvesting periods, workers will primarily perform field-based crop-production and agricultural-equipment duties. During periods between major field operations, workers will perform agricultural grain and seed handling, preparation-for-market, storage, equipment maintenance, and related duties at the employer’s on-farm agricultural facilities. Workers may perform any of the duties described above throughout the contract period as required by crop, weather, equipment, and operational conditions.

All grain and seed handling and preparation-for-market duties described above are performed in connection with agricultural commodities produced by the employer’s farming operation and at facilities maintained as part of the employer’s agricultural operation.

Employer may request, but shall not require, employees to work on his or her sabbath.

Requirements

Three months experience required for job duties listed. Must be able to obtain driver's license within thirty (30) days following the hire and maintain a clean driving record.

Benefits and conditions