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 rotating 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
To apply, please email a cover letter explaining your interest as well as an updated resume with references.
