Agriculture, Forestry & Agricultural Equipment Operator

Work description

All applicants must be able, willing, and qualified to perform the work described in this job description and must be available for the entire period of employment specified in box A.3 & A.4. This work order is for qualified people with 1-month prior experience performing agricultural work and working in a commercial scale maple sugaring operation. Workers must be willing to work in cold weather as low as (minus) -15 degrees (F) and work on snow covered ground exceeding 4 feet in depth with snowshoes provided. Employer will provide the following cold weather apparel: winter boots, jacket, snow pants, gloves, mittens, hat, and baclava. Cold weather clothing in addition to these items shall be provided by the employee. This position involves precision coring of "tap-holes" in trees; precision insertion and setting of spouts; crimping, cutting, and connecting food-grade flexible tubing; and installation and repairing of various diameter food-grade flexible pipe/tubing up to 3". Workers will clear brush install, replace and maintain & remove tubing systems, tap maple trees, evaluate health of sugar maples for potential sap production, monitor sap flow level in tubing, set and monitor filter press, pull taps at the end of the season and clean equipment on a regular basis. Workers may be asked to operate trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles to transport workers from housing (whether on or off farm) to the farm properties; haul tools, supplies, or crops; transport workers from place to place around the farm properties during the workday (including on public roads to reach farmer's fields); and/or transport workers to the grocery store, bank, or laundry facilities on an as -needed basis. Workers that are requested to drive will be required to possess a valid driver’s license; no worker will be rejected for not having a driver's license. Workers who do drive will still perform the same field work and other duties as non-driving workers; driving is not a primary duty. Workers will be compensated at the correct rate of pay for all hours worked, including when they are performing the employer’s obligation of driving. Work requires long periods of standing, bending and kneeling. Workers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and be available to work Monday through Sunday. Employer will furnish to workers without cost all tools and equipment required to perform duties assigned. Workers will be scheduled for a continuous 8-hour shift (Monday-Friday) and 5-hour shift (Saturday) within the 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM operational window (exclusive of the 30-minute meal period): and the employer will provide workers with advance notice of any changes to the daily start and end times. This schedule totals 45 hours per week. The 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. range reflects the seasonal and weather-dependent nature of maple tapping operations, including variability in sap flow and collection conditions. This flexibility ensures workers can complete their required weekly hours while responding to daily production needs. Workers may offer additional hours beyond the standard schedule, subject to the mutual agreement of the workers and management. Workers will be provided with at least a 30-minute lunch break, staggered between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as determined by both the workers and management. Workers may choose where to eat their lunch and must return to work after the 30-minute break. The daily and weekly work schedules may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, or other factors. The employer will notify workers of any changes to the schedule. Workers must be able to understand and follow work and safety instructions. Workers must be able to consistently follow established safety protocols while using tools and performing assigned duties.