MOBILE PLANT OPERATOR

About A.W. Steicke & Sons

A.W. Steicke & Sons is an Australian family-operated agricultural business involved in horticultural production, including the growing of nuts, fruit and vegetables.

We are seeking an experienced Mobile Plant Operator to operate and maintain agricultural machinery and equipment used in horticultural production. The successful applicant will assist with land preparation, crop establishment, fertilising, spraying, cultivation, harvesting and the movement of agricultural materials and produce.

Position description

The Mobile Plant Operator operates agricultural and horticultural plant and machinery to prepare and cultivate land, sow, fertilise, spray and harvest crops. The role requires the safe and efficient operation of tractors, self-propelled machinery and associated implements while minimising damage to crops and maintaining equipment in good working condition.

Key duties and responsibilities

Prepare and position agricultural and horticultural machinery and equipment for operation.

Operate tractors and tractor-drawn implements to cultivate soil, prepare growing areas and undertake other land preparation activities.

Operate agricultural machinery to sow, plant, fertilise and cultivate horticultural crops.

Operate spraying equipment to apply agricultural chemicals and other crop treatments in accordance with instructions, application rates and safety requirements.

Operate agricultural and horticultural machinery used in harvesting nuts, fruit and vegetables, as applicable to seasonal operations.

Adjust machinery speed, implement height and depth, and application or collection rates to achieve the required operational results.

Calibrate and monitor machinery and equipment to ensure accurate application of materials and efficient crop harvesting.

Monitor machinery performance and identify operating issues, faults or conditions that may affect productivity or crop quality.

Conduct routine inspections, cleaning and servicing of machinery and equipment and report maintenance requirements.

Follow workplace health and safety procedures, machinery operating instructions and applicable chemical handling requirements.

Operate machinery carefully to minimise crop damage, soil disturbance and unnecessary waste.

Maintain accurate records of machinery operation, maintenance and relevant agricultural activities.

Assist with moving harvested produce, agricultural materials and equipment around the property where required and within the operator's training and authorisations.

Skills, qualifications and experience

Applicants should demonstrate practical competence in operating agricultural machinery, following safe work procedures and undertaking routine equipment checks.

Experience operating tractors, cultivation implements, fertiliser spreaders, agricultural sprayers and harvesting machinery is essential.

Any licences, certificates or chemical-use qualifications required for the particular machinery and duties must be held before undertaking those activities.

Employment conditions

Full-time employment with A.W. Steicke & Sons.

Annual salary of AUD $79,423 plus superannuation, subject to applicable HILA salary requirements and the annual market salary rate.

38 ordinary hours per week.

Employment conditions and leave entitlements in accordance with applicable Australian workplace laws.

Work location: Beverford, Victoria.