Equipment Operator - 201

Navajo Agricultural Products Industry; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in agricultural production is seeking an Equipment Operator to join their dynamic team. This role involves operating state-of-the-art farm machinery and ensuring optimal crop production through effective maintenance and safety practices. The ideal candidate will take pride in their work, collaborating closely with team members to uphold the highest standards of quality and efficiency. With a commitment to sustainability and community, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of premier agricultural products in a supportive environment. If you are passionate about agriculture and ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred with experience in agricultural operations.
• Ability to operate farm equipment safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Operate farm equipment for crop production and maintenance tasks.
• Perform daily inspections and preventative maintenance on machinery.
• Maintain safety and quality standards in agricultural operations.

Skills

Equipment Operation

Preventative Maintenance

Safety Compliance

Team Collaboration

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Tractors

Forklifts

Hand Tools

Two-way Radio

Job description

Navajo Agricultural Products Industry

We produce premier Navajo Pride brand agricultural products, guaranteed to be of the highest quality on the market today. We are located in the heart of the Four Corners region near Farmington, New Mexico, and are operating one of the largest tracts of contiguous farmland in the nation.

Our agribusiness features state-of-the-art farming technology including a multimillion dollar water irrigation management system. NAPI produces the finest and freshest varieties of Navajo Pride brand potatoes, corn, alfalfa, beans, and small grains, such as barley, wheat and oats. We are also expanding our Navajo Pride brand product selection at all times, so be sure and check our product availability frequently.

What makes Navajo Pride brand so unique? We are owned and operated by the Navajo people. At NAPI, we take pride in producing Navajo Pride brand premium products for retail purposes, repackaging or for direct sale to our customers.

Close Date: 3/31/2025

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Number of Openings: 4

Req Number: SEA-25-00001

Position: Equipment Operator

I. Position Function SUMMARY:

Under direct supervision, the Equipment Operator provides support in operating farm equipment and machinery in a safe and efficient manner for optimal crop production during field preparation, planting, cultivation, harvesting, and maintenance of crop acreage for various departments, including Alfalfa Crop, Bean Crop, Conservation, Corn Crop, Farm Support Services, Scales, and Organic/Conventional Row Crop. Equipment Operators will have a primary job assignment to a department but will also be assigned as needed to work in other departments.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements are essential functions of this position and not intended to be all-inclusive; rather, they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the incumbent, and an employee may be directed to perform other reasonably related job duties and responsibilities. NAPI reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises, based on business need, and this position description may be updated accordingly. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

General Duties & Responsibilities

1. Maintains and complies with total quality controls according to USDA standards relating to inspection, grading, sorting, handling, and shipments that ensure NAPI’s concerns on food safety.
2. Perform daily pre- and post-operation inspection of equipment and maintain daily log; notes issues and findings in unit inspection books and informs Crop Foreman.
3. Perform daily preventative maintenance such as refilling grease points and fluids of equipment and implements.
4. Operates equipment and machinery used in agricultural production, such as tractors and combines effectively, efficiently, and safely.
5. Attaches farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
6. Assembles, attaches, adjusts proper combination of farm implements.
7. Loads hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machine with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
8. Manipulates controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
9. Mixes specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
10. Adjusts, repairs, and services farm machinery and notifies supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
11. Observes and listens to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
12. Identifies equipment problems in a timely manner to minimize down time and equipment failure.
13. Assists department work crews in the activities of planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
14. Performs tillage, planting, cultivation, and harvesting operations effectively.
15. Performs proper maintenance service, repairs, adjustments, and safety inspections of equipment and implements.
16. Maintains and promotes a safe work environment in all areas of control.
17. Completes daily reports and field operation reports as requested and in a timely manner.

Other

1. Works collaboratively, cooperatively, and in coordination with fellow team members and with others in the organization, treating them with respect, courtesy, and consideration, and shows understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done.
2. Provides information, guidance, and resources to diverse groups of customers, clients, and others outside of the organization; treats them in a friendly manner with professionalism, helpfulness, respect, courtesy, and consideration at all times regardless of circumstances.
3. Maintains regular, dependable attendance and punctuality, and physical presence at the assigned worksite; must interact directly with people or objects at the worksite on a regular basis. Communications technology may, for certain tasks and under certain circumstances, enable an employee to effectively perform some of the work-related duties from home on a temporary basis.
4. Complies with all applicable environmental health and safety policies, procedures, and work rules, giving maximum effort to performing job functions in a manner that protects the health and safety of the incumbent, co-workers, and the general public.
5. Performs other duties as assigned and which are deemed necessary or desirable by NAPI.

DEPARTMENT JOB ASSIGNMENTS

This Job Description is intended to be somewhat general in nature with respect to the job family, and as such it does not detail all duties of a particular job assignment. Additional duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on the Department Job Assignment.

Agronomy

1. Operates tractor with artificial tunnel building implement.
2. Strictly adheres to proper handling, maintenance, and operation procedures of the artificial tunnel building implement.
3. Maintains daily records on progress on activities as well as pertinent information for EPA Chemical application sheets.
4. Collects measurements of infested areas requiring treatment.
5. Maintains clean work site after completion of job and conduct routine visual inspections of equipment before/after each use.
6. Consistently uses proper application techniques.
7. Safely transport equipment and implement.
8. Assists other team members with treatments or extermination processes in and/or around crop field.
9. Occasionally assists other departments with field assignments such as manual weed removal, field mapping, sample collections, load alfalfa bales, and grounds-keeping and facility maintenance which includes, but not limited to: shoveling, manual weed removal, trimming hedges and tree branches, raking, mowing grass, and hauling debris.

Corn

1. Maintain inspection, hour, fuel daily logs (planting, liquid/dry fertilizer for banding applications).
2. Assist in loading seeds and fertilizer by hand and/or with forklift.
3. Monitor tractor controls and monitors to ensure proper land preparations, planting, and harvesting specifications are met.
4. Perform preventative maintenance, greasing, and fluid refilling of tractors and equipment.
5. Report needed repairs, welding jobs, and parts to Crop Foremen.
6. Maintains a clean worksite and properly care for tractor and equipment.
7. Safely transport equipment on roadways when necessary.
8. Assist department with other tasks as necessary – sprinkler unplugging, field scouting, and the upkeep of fields and facilities.
9. Communicates with co-workers and management in a courteous manner.
10. Maintains a good driving record throughout the duration of employment.

Scales

1. Operates hay squeeze equipment safely, efficiently, and effectively.
2. Performs daily safety inspections to ensure hay squeezers are in fully functional state.
3. Performs maintenance and repairs on equipment as needed in a timely manner.
4. Maintains equipment by removing trash from cab and wash down equipment daily.
5. Maintains all necessary operating paperwork. (i.e., pre/post trip inspections, logbook).
6. Communicates with co-workers, management, customers, and vendors in a courteous and effective manner.
7. Communicates any mechanical repairs to both supervisors and Farm Support Services Department by filing out the proper work orders.
8. Completes and maintains all loading documentation (i.e., Scale Tickets, Customer Tickets).
9. Observes surroundings while operating equipment for road conditions and operating issues.
10. Reports all damages/mechanical errors to appropriate parties.
11. Loads and unloads products from/to field, storage, customer’s vehicle, and vendors as directed in a courteous, safe, and timely manner.
12. Assists Laborers with loading products for customers and maintains yard by cleaning.
13. Assist Laborers with sorting through inventory and relocate if needed, based on quality (i.e., damaged/bottom bales).
14. Assists with tarping of inventory by covering and removing tarps and relocating unused tarps.
15. Maintains a good driving record throughout duration of employment.
16. Completes annual re-certification to maintain knowledge, skills, and safe practices.
17. Learns to operate other farm equipment.

Alfalfa

1. Maintain inspection, hour, fuel, and planting logs.
2. Assist in loading seeds and fertilizers by hand and/or with forklift.
3. Monitor tractor controls and monitors to ensure proper land preparation and planting specifications are met.
4. Perform preventative maintenance, greasing, and fluid refilling of tractor and equipment.
5. Report needed repairs, welding jobs, and parts to foreman.
6. Maintains a clean worksite and properly care for tractor and equipment.
7. Safely transport equipment on roadways when necessary.
8. Assist department with other tasks as necessary – sprinkler unplugging, field scouting, loading alfalfa bales, and upkeep of department fields and facilities.

Custom Grazing

1. Maintain inspection, hour, fuel, and planting logs.
2. Assist in loading seeds and fertilizer by hand and/or with forklift.
3. Monitor tractor controls and monitors to ensure proper land preparation and planting specifications are met.
4. Report needed repairs, welding jobs, and parts to Manager.
5. Safely transport equipment on roadways when necessary.
6. Assist department with other tasks as necessary – unplugging sprinklers, scouting fields, etc.
7. Set up electrical fencing, water tanks, as necessary.
8. Transports and sets up gooseneck stock trailers and portable corral system.

IV. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for the position, but is not a comprehensive list. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Some functions require certifications and training which will be provided by NAPI.

Preferred:

• High School Diploma, GED, or High School Equivalence.
• Prior experience as an Equipment Operator in farming or agricultural business.

Substitution:

• None

Navajo Preference:

Navajo preference will be applied in accordance with the Navajo Preference in Employment Act (NPEA), it is Navajo Agricultural Products Industry’s (“NAPI”) goal and intention to strictly adhere to the NPEA in all employment practices and hire qualified Navajo Personnel for all positions. Tribal sovereignty support and Navajo preference initiatives are mandatory.

Language Requirements:

Required:

Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures and technical manuals. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from vendors, contractors, supervisors, and co-workers.

Preferred:

Bi-lingual (English/Navajo)

Shared Responsibilities:

As a requirement of their employment, all NAPI employees are expected and required to follow and adhere to the following job responsibilities:

• Support the mission, vision, values, and goals of Navajo Agricultural Products Industry.
• Support excellence in our customer service philosophy, and deliver excellent customer service both to internal and external customers.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Follow all safety policies, guidelines, and work rules, and participate in trainings.
• Practice good stewardship of NAPI property and follow policy.
• Act in a professional manner at all times.
• Function from INTEGRITY, HONESTY, and LOYALTY in all activities concerning NAPI.
• Follow the current NAPI Strategic Plan initiatives.
• Maintain and support a team environment within the workgroup, and with other departments.
• Champion NAPI in the community.

Core Competencies:

Performs the essential functions and elements of this position competently, demonstrating adequate progress throughout the course of the introductory period of employment and continuing throughout employment with NAPI. A variety of personal competencies need to be demonstrated by everyone at NAPI, and include but are not limited to:

• Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, honoring NAPI policies and all regulatory requirements.
• Customer focus: Striving for high customer satisfaction, going out of our way to be helpful and pleasant, making it as easy as possible on the customer or client, rather than on self, department, or organization.
• Communication: Balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, influencing others, keeping others informed.
• Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Initiative: Taking ownership of our work, doing what is needed without being asked, following through.
• Efficiency and Continuous Improvement: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time, being cost-conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.
• Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement.
• Team Player: able to work collaboratively with others in the organization, and to work well with diverse groups of people and gain and maintain respect of others, both inside and outside of NAPI.
• Self-Management: Skill in managing one’s own time, being self-directed, able to work in a changing, stressful, fast-paced, and varied work environment; must be detail-oriented and thorough in completing tasks, and persistent in the face of obstacles.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The Equipment Operator must be able to perform each essential duty and other job responsibilities satisfactorily, using job related knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform this job successfully.

• Knowledge in hand signals.
• Ability to accept criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Ability to willing to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Ability of being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Ability to establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Ability to be persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Ability to be reliable, responsible, dependent, and fulfilling obligations.
• Ability to work a diverse schedule.
• Ability to demonstrate safety consciousness and awareness at all times.
• Ability to keep records and write legibly.
• Ability to perform minor equipment maintenance.
• Ability to be trained on advanced technical equipment.
• Must have own tools and wear proper personal protective equipment.

Certification, Licenses and Registrations:

• Must have and maintain a current New Mexico or Arizona driver’s license (preferably by New Mexico) must have and maintain an NAPI-insurable driving record, and may be required to provide proof of current liability insurance meeting or exceeding State-required minimum coverages.

Training Requirements:

• Must successfully complete all NAPI-required safety and other training.
• Must successfully pass and maintain training certification in all state, NAPI, and/or other training requirements of the position and job assignment.
• Additional specific training requirements for this position may be required by NAPI.
• First Aid, CPR, and Defensive Driving Course (every 2 years).
• Global GAP training in such areas as quality control, quality assurance, food safety, and other related work in an agricultural setting.

Tools and Equipment Used (varies by job assignment):

• Standard office equipment, including desktop computer and standard MS-Office applications.
• Must be able to operate a two-way radio.
• May operate 44x4 row crop tractors, farm implements such as planters, cultivators, combines, under-cutters, pay loaders, and forklifts.
• May operate Forklift; certification required.
• May use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, shears, pruning saws, chain saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• May be required to provide own tools, depending on department job assignments.

Other:

• In accordance with the conditional offer of employment, individual must pass drug screen, and all NAPI, and other required background investigations.
• Additional drug screening and background investigations may be required depending on the job assignment, or job transfer.
• Must read and acknowledge NAPI’s Non-disclosure agreement.

EOE Statement: NAPI is an equal employment opportunity employer. Hiring will be done in accordance with the Navajo Preference in Employment Act ("NPEA").

Hiring Manager(s)

This position is currently accepting applications.