FARM WORKER I TEMPORARY (Henderson, WV)

                                                        West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Position Description
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Job Title: Farm Worker I - TEMPORARY
Division: Executive - Farms
Headquarters: McCausland Farm, Henderson, WV 
Reports To: Farm Manager
Supervisor Responsibility: None
FSLA: Non-Exempt
NOTE: Temporary Employees are not eligible for benefits and cannot exceed one thousand (1,000) hours worked in a calendar year.

Nature of Work:

Under the general supervision and direction of the Farm Manager, this position performs routine manual labor associated with farm work at a state-owned facility using currently accepted agricultural practices and application of new technologies. Work involves the production and care of field crops and livestock.

Examples of Work:

• Grind and mix feed mixtures for livestock as instructed.
• Salt, feed, water and bed livestock by hand or use of mechanical feeding equipment.
• Clean barns, livestock quarters and other buildings.
• Separate calves from cows and tag calves.
• Operate equipment such as a tractor, end loader and corn grinder in performing tasks such as hauling hay and manure, plowing and grinding feed.
• Operate truck with gooseneck trailer for purpose of livestock hauling.
• Plant and harvest crops by hand and/or by using machines such a corn planter, bailer, dump truck and silage blower.
• Load and unload trucks of produce, seed, fertilizer, feed, etc.
• Apply sprays for weeds and insect control.
• Repair fences, buildings and equipment as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Standing, sitting, driving, walking, lifting up to 100 lbs., operating and working in proximity of farm machinery, exposure to herbicides and pesticides, outside work and exposure to inclement weather.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• General knowledge in the care of livestock.
• General knowledge in land cultivation and fertilization practices.
• General knowledge of livestock sanitation, pest control and building techniques.
• General knowledge of farm machinery and the maintenance techniques used to care for the equipment.
• General knowledge of rules, regulations, policies and objectives of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
• Ability to operate farm machinery, equipment and trucks with trailers.
• Ability to repair fences, buildings and farm equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor.

Qualifications:

Education: Completion of an eighth-grade education; graduation from high school or the equivalent preferred.

Experience: Two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in a farming operation.

Substitutions: Vocational training in agriculture may be considered as a substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.