The City of Boise owns and operates a 4225-acre farm on South Cloverdale Road, approximately 20 miles south of Boise. The Twenty-Mile South Farm receives the biosolids from the City’s two main water renewal facilities. The City of Boise owns and operates the entire facility, from the biosolids transport, storage, and application to soil preparation and tillage, to planting and harvesting the crops(corn, wheat, and alfalfa).

The City is currently hiring for a motivated, full-time and fully benefited Farm Worker position. During harvest months employees may work irregular hours and shifts as needed.

• Performs semi-skilled manual labor in field preparation, planting and harvesting of crops
• General farm labor to include regular removal of rocks and setup/movement of irrigation systems
• Operates a wide variety of farm equipment to cultivate, fertilize, irrigate and harvest crops
• Applies treated biosolids to fields as soil supplement
• Performs a wide variety of grounds and facilities maintenance
• Work is performed under supervision.

Become part of the City and have an opportunity to make a difference. The City provides top notch healthcare for you and your family at little to no cost. Plus, an actual pension plan, 401k matching, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and more. Imagine that.

Essential Functions

Sets up, moves, and operates irrigation equipment, hand lines, wheel lines and circle irrigation systems. Directs and monitors work of seasonal employees during planting and harvesting seasons. Assumes security responsibilities at farm site, observes and reports incidents that do not adhere to the rules and policies of property or abnormal conditions such as vandalism and improper usage of site. Sets and maintains irrigation systems to ensure crops are properly watered. (30%)

Operates tractors, tractor-drawn machinery and self-propelled machinery to prepare soil for planting. Plants, cultivates, sprays and harvests crops. Operates spreader trucks to apply biosolids to fields. Transports crops to storage facilities on site. Clears rocks from fields. Applies sand to wheel tracks of center pivots. Digs ditches, pits and trenches. Hauls dirt and sand around farm. Loads and unloads trucks and other equipment with shovels and front-end loaders. (30%) (30%)

Applies pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Deals with agricultural pests. Follows safety measures when dealing with agricultural chemicals. Performs varied grounds maintenance tasks. Sets sprinkler, replaces broken sprinkler heads, and adjusts automatic time clocks. Performs irrigation system pressure checks, winterization of facility irrigation system, maintains fire lanes around buildings and property, and cleans debris from pathways, parking lots, and roof gutters. Repairs concrete sidewalks and pads. Repairs and maintains fences, gates, and parking lots. Maintains mowers and other related grounds equipment and tools. Determines irrigation schedules. (30%)

Performs minor repairs and routine maintenance on equipment, tractors, and vehicles, and general maintenance and repair to farm buildings and other structures. Builds, welds, and maintains perimeter fencing. (10%)

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. Total Percentage = 100%

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• 2 years’ experience working in an agricultural setting including experience operating heavy equipment such as tractors, front-end loaders, or harvester, and maintaining large irrigation systems; and
• High school diploma or GED; or
• An equivalent combination of education or experience

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• 3 years’ experience working in an agricultural setting performing a wide range of duties involved with growing and harvesting crops such as corn.

Level Of Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of farm labor and maintenance tasks including irrigation, equipment operation, basic construction, and standard safety practices
• Irrigation equipment systems including hand lines, wheel lines, and circle irrigation
• Application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
• Safe operation of farm-related equipment and implements
• General safety practices

Ability To:

• Climb on pivots and work 10-15 feet above ground level
• Operate a wide range of farming equipment and hand and power tools
• Work outdoors in adverse conditions for extended periods of time
• Work irregular hours during peak planting and harvesting seasons
• Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of city employees, the general public, and other organizations
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• Complete assignments in a timely fashion
• Understand and comply with all rules, policies, and regulations
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance
• Perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is always lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, frequently lifting/carrying up to 75 pounds and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 100 pounds. Also, the employee is always pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds, frequently pushing/pulling up to 75 pounds and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate, occasionally loud and rarely very loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, runn, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.Additional physical efforts include: performing duties on equipment with ladders and lifts, work on and around large irrigation equipment during all weather conditions and climb on pivots and work rarely (less than ½ hours per day)never-rarely (less than ½ hours per day)5 feet above ground level..

Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals. Employees work on and around uneven ground, slippery surfaces, insects, biosolids and agricultural chemicals and in all weather conditions; irrigation equipment, farm equipment and implements. May be required to drive a truck/four-wheeler on farm grounds. The work environment is a remote, rural 4,225 acre commercial farm that recycles biosolids.
This position works: evenings, weekends, and holidays. During harvest months employees may work irregular hours and shifts as needed

Top talent deserves top-notch benefits. The City is among the best in the Treasure Valley when it comes to the benefits and perks we offer our employees.

Most positions are eligible for the general benefits listed here; firefighters, police officers, senior managers, command staff, and directors may be offered other benefit plans.

Healthcare:

• ZERO premium medical coverage option for you and your family
• Low-cost dental and vision options.
• Post-employment health savings account.

Retirement and Investment Plans:

• PERSI retirement benefits
• 401(k) or 457b pre-tax investment options with employer match.
• 457b Roth after-tax investment options with no match

WellBeing Program:

• Up to $500 cash per year for participants.
• Alternative transportation incentives.

Paid Leave – City employees receive generous paid leave:

• 10 hours of vacation per month, and this increases the longer you stay with the City
• 12 paid holidays every year
• 8 hours of sick leave per month
• 10 weeks Parental Leave

Life & Long Term Disability:

• Basic Life insurance at no cost to you
• Long Term Disability insurance at no cost to you

Other optional benefits:

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Supplemental Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free local bus pass
• Corporate discount programs
• AFLAC
• Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal issues