Equipment Operator

Deerfield MA

Description

Atlas Farm Equipment Operator Job Description 2023 General Description The Equipment Operator is an important position in the overall scope of Atlas Farm with primary responsibilities in the production of field grown crops. Equipment Operators work closely with the Field Production Manager, field crews, and other farm management staff to take crops from seed to harvest. Field production tasks are the focus of the job year-round, but especially during the field growing season of April-November with additional areas of focus from December-March. Following are the primary responsibilities of this position: Field production: • field preparation: spreading fertilizer and making fertilizer calculations and calibrating equipment, tillage, bed prep, shaping beds, laying plastic mulch • planting: coordinating with Greenhouse Manager and Field Production Manager for scheduling transplanted crops, setting up and supervising transplanting jobs with field crew leaders, managing row covers • cultivation: setting up and operating cultivators for various crops; scheduling cultivation priorities with Field Production Manager • pest management: scouting fields; selecting materials, making spray calculations and spraying crops; calibrating and cleaning spray equipment • irrigation: scheduling irrigation priorities with Field Production Manager; setting up and operating pumps, drip irrigation, solid set irrigation, and hard hose traveler as needed; maintaining inventory of irrigation supplies • harvest: assisting field crews with equipment needs during daily harvests; operating equipment for mechanical harvest • equipment maintenance: monitoring and changing fluids, cleaning and maintaining tractors, vehicles, and implements, performing basic repairs and notifying Equipment and Facilities Manager of more extensive maintenance or repairs needed • maintaining inventory of field supplies including fertilizers, pesticides, drip tape, plastic mulch, and hand tools, purchasing supplies as needed Additional tasks: • field production research and training: researching new production techniques and equipment, attending industry conferences and training sessions • building and equipment maintenance and repair: assisting Equipment and Facilities Manager with “handyman” work on a variety of farm buildings and equipment • new building projects: assisting with new construction projects • greenhouse: assisting Greenhouse Manager with greenhouse production tasks Hours, schedule, and compensation • April-November: average 55 hours/week with ramp up and down on both ends of the main growing season; typical schedule M-F, 6am-5pm with occasional weekend hours • December-March: average 35 hours/week; typical schedule M-Th, 8am-4pm • competitive hourly wage • free farm produce • 40 hours paid vacation time in year one with annual review; up to 2 additional weeks of unpaid vacation time available from December-March if desired