Farm Equipment Operator; FEO

About the Job

Unit and

Position Overview:

The Rosemount Research and Outreach Center (RROC) in Rosemount, Minnesota is one of 10 research and outreach centers in the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). The RROC encompasses approximately 3,400 acres and supports analytical, biological, and field laboratories to facilitate research and demonstration projects that enhance the sustainable use of agricultural and natural resources in east-central Minnesota.

Program areas include plant and soil sciences, sustainable cropping systems, climatology and renewal energy.

The Farm Equipment Operator is a 10‑month position and is responsible for operating, adjusting, and maintaining a wide variety of farm equipment, loaders, trailers, mowers, and snow removal equipment. Key duties include equipment setup, calibration, and performing general maintenance and repairs on machinery. The role also involves maintaining records for equipment maintenance and field operations. Working with modern equipment and precision agriculture technologies, the operator will assist and perform various fieldwork and machinery operations, supporting advanced farming & research practices and efficient operations.

75% Crop Agriculture:

• Operate and adjust in real‑time according to environmental and crop conditions, a wide range of farm equipment, including but not limited to tractors, tillage tools, planters, grain drills, fertilizer applicators, sprayers, forage‑harvesters, combines and heads, trucks, mowers, loaders, and forage equipment to perform various fieldwork tasks efficiently and safely.
• Utilize modern agricultural technology such as GPS guidance systems, automated field documentation, auto‑steering, and variable rate technologies (VRT) to improve the efficiency of field operations, ensuring accurate planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting.
• Work with in‑cab and cloud‑based monitoring and documentation systems and databases to create field maps and harvest records as well as cultural practice/labor documentation for work being performed. Analyze data from these systems to optimize field operations and make necessary machine adjustments in real‑time to improve crop yields and equipment efficiency.
• Read, understand, and follow pesticide labels and fertilizer recommendations to ensure safe and proper handling and application of pesticide and fertilizer products. Calibrate and adjust sprayers and applicators for accurate applications based on field conditions and crop needs. Scout fields to identify treatment areas so as to schedule and perform applications based on crop and pest stages.
• Accurately apply dry and liquid fertilizers as well as various forms of livestock manure.
• Responsible for handling grain and storage bin management, climb vertical ladders up to 60 feet high for grain leg and bin maintenance. Haul harvested grain and record all load weights, moistures, and notables. Adjust grain drying system during fall harvest based on incoming grain conditions to achieve uniform final product. Maintain and operate grain drying and handling equipment. Take samples, weigh and keep grain records.
  
  Load out grain to trucks.
• Utilizes current monitoring and record keeping systems (i.e. John Deere Greenstar and Operations Center) for planting, spraying, fertilizing and harvesting. Maintain detailed electronic and written records for required RROC and ROC system reporting.

20% Facility and Equipment Maintenance:

• Perform regular maintenance on equipment, such as oil changes, lubrication, filter replacements, standard wear parts replacement, and tire checks to ensure all equipment is running smoothly and efficiently.
• Conduct emergency and light‑duty repairs in the field and/or in the shop, such as fixing broken belts, bearings, hoses, blades, rollers, or other mechanical failures, to minimize downtime and maintain productivity during peak farming seasons.
• Perform general maintenance repair to facilities and grounds to include but not limited to buildings, fencing, tree trimming, irrigation lines, etc.
• Maintain detailed records of…