Job offer: Tractor Operator

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY & NUTRITION

CIRCULAR NO. 4 OF 2024.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following positions that are tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition:

MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY& NUTRITION

DEPARTMENT :  AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

DIVISION :  ADMINISTRATION

SECTION :  FARM MANAGEMENT

JOB TITLE :  TRACTOR OPERATOR

GRADE :  C

RESPONSIBLE TO  :  FARM MANAGER

JOB SUMMARY

UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE FARM MANAGER, THE INCUMBENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF FARM MACHINERY (TRACTORS, COMBINE HARVESTERS AND ALL TYPES OF IMPLEMENTS) AGRICULTURAL FARM OPERATIONS.

MAIN DUTIES

1.  PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF FARM MACHINERY.

• Checks water, oil and fuel in the tractor daily before operation for refilling when necessary.
• Cleans air filter, battery terminals regularly to ensure efficient functioning.
• Performs minor services of farm machinery for efficient functioning.
• Cleans, grease and stores tractor, combine and farm implement after each use to reduce damage due to natural factors such as rust.
• Checks that nuts are tied and tyre pressures for efficient functioning of all machinery for pressure and loose bolts and rust.
• Fills logbook daily for machine hours, mileage, fuel and oil records.

2.  AGRICULTURAL FARM OPERATIONS.

• Inspects fields (for presence of rocks, proximity to gullies, etc.) prior to any farm/field operation to avoid machinery breakdowns.
• Prepares land (tillage, soil pulverization-harrowing, discing, rotovating etc,) on main station and sub stations for planting.
• Cultivates land for weed control and aeration to enhance crop development
• Carries out field operations (e.g. primary and secondary tillage, crop harvesting, silage and hay-making, milling farm produce, etc.) as requested to enhance agricultural production.
• Sprays crops for insect pests, plant diseases and weeds to minimize infestation.
• Harvest and hauls farm produce to facilitate data collection and sale.
• Mows in and around the farms at main and sub-stations for cleanliness.
• Checks condition of crops to be harvested (crop moisture content) to avoid accident, serious machinery breakdowns, poor work and damage to crops.

3.  REPORTING:

• Fills daily operations’ worksheets and submits them to Accounts sections to facilitate revenue collection and for accountability.
  • Reports all major and minor machinery service requirements required for efficient functioning.

COMPENSABLE FACTORS

Education and training requirements

• Junior certificate OR
• Std 7

1.2              Experience

Two years (2) driving experience for JC holders and three years (3) driving experience for Std 7 candidates (accident-free records), plus valid agricultural machinery (tractor, combine etc) drivers/operator’s license.

1.3               Other necessary knowledge and skills

–     Knowledge of all agricultural machinery, its operations and items that need regular checking and maintenance.

2      RESPONSIBILITY

2.1                For work of others

The factor is not identified with the job.

2.2                For property

The incumbent is responsible for the custody of Government tractor, combine and implements allocated for his use.

2.3             For budget and finance in general

The factor is not identified with the job.

2.4  For safety of others

The job involves use of complicated and dangerous machines (combines harvesters, bailers, mowers, etc.) even though safety precautions are specified the incumbent will be expected to observe and adhere or enforce them.

2.5  For effect of errors

The incumbent is responsible for errors such as improper daily preventive maintenance and execution of field operation that may result in machinery breakdown, accidents and damage to crops, and this may result in financial losses and bad image of the department.

3   COMPLEXITY

3.1               Authority for decision-making

The job allows the incumbent to independently set work procedures and schedules on executing field operations, e.g. ploughing, harvesting, etc.

3.2               Problem solving

The incumbent will occasionally be expected to independently deal with minor repairs e.g. replacing worn-out parts, tightening loose parts, etc.

3.3               Supervision received

The incumbent will daily be expected to work under direct supervision of the farm manager, and checked monthly on submitted worksheets.

3.4                Dexterity

The job involves complicated and dangerous machines which require full situational awareness, hence coordination of eyesight, hearing, smell, feet and touch (hands) will be needed.

4       CONTACTS

The incumbent comes into contacts with the following persons and during the execution of duties: