West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Position Description

Job Title: Farm Worker I

Division: Executive - Farms Section

Headquarters: Pruntytown Farm, Grafton, WV

Reports To: Farm Manager

Supervisory

Responsibility: None

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Nature of Work:

Under the general supervision and direction of the Farm Manager or his designee, 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.
• Basic computer work such as data entry, tracking inventory, plus scanning and emailing documents.
• 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 perform basic computer work including using online meetings, sending, and receiving email, and use of programs such as excel and word.
• 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.

This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.