Tractor & Irrigation Operator Organic Redneck Growers
- Date Posted January 20, 2021
- Location Leaburg, OR
- Category Agriculture
- Job type Full-Time
We are seeking a skilled individual that can be the main equipment operator and irrigation lead, with the flexibility to step into our field crew for harvests and/or infrastructure projects as time and weather allows. We actively manage 8 acres of annual vegetable crops, ¾ acre of greenhouses, and 5 acres of perennial fruits, mainly blueberries. We farm on three parcels of land, 4.5 miles apart, with 3 different irrigation systems. This position works solo most days during the height of the season, and on the maintenance team when extra help is needed.
Equipment Operations (+/- 50 % of time)
- Equipment: 4 field tractors, 2 cultivation tractors, manual transmissions, riding mowers, String trimmers and trailer towing.
- Implements: Manure spreader, mulch spreader, spin spreader, chisel plow, tiller with bed shaper, plastic and drip layer, bed lifter, loaders, mid mount and rear cultivators.
- Coordinates daily/weekly tasks with the Production Manager and Repair/Maintenance Manager
- Field prep: includes chiseling, tilling, spreading compost, spreading amendments, bed shaping, plastic and drip laying, plastic lifting.
- Mechanical Harvesting: operating bed lifter, potato digger and other harvest equipment.
- Cultivation: Maintain fields free from weeds using primarily tractor mounted tools
- Berries/orchards Management: Mulch & compost spreading, brush pickup, mowing, weeding.
- Material Handling: Trucking, loading and unloading of produce & equipment
- Basic maintenance and troubleshooting for equipment listed above.
- Potentially helping coordinate and lead an equipment/irrigation Apprentice
Irrigation Operations (+/- 50% of time):
- Run and perform basic maintenance on 3-4 different pumps, sand filters, suction and discharge lines at three field locations
- Install, maintain and operate drip tape and hand lines for overhead irrigation (3 & 4” aluminum pipes) on 8 acres of mixed row crops at three field locations
- Install, maintain and operate drip tubing on 5 acres of berries and other perennials.
- Coordinates daily tasks with the Production Manager and Repairs/Maintenance Manager
- Potentially helping coordinate and lead an equipment/irrigation Apprentice
Desired qualifications:
- 1 year minimum experience on a fresh vegetable/fruit operation
- 1 year minimum experience operating tractors, implements, and cultivation tools
- 1 year minimum experience operating overhead and drip systems
- Ability to be self starting and self motivated
- Ability to work independently most of the time
- Experience troubleshooting and maintaining equipment
- Experience with power tools and construction a plus
Schedule and Hours
- Full-time, seasonal job
- Mainly Monday-Friday; 1 split weekend 1x/month from June-Sept to accommodate weekend irrigation work during height of summer
- Possibility of winter work depending on skills, flexibility and availability.
- April-May: 24-40 hrs/week, weather dependent
- June-October: 40-45 hrs/week
- November-February: Depends upon experience and availability