Alligator Farm Worker
Employer: Cypress Creek Farms, LLC
Location: Starke, FL
Workers needed: 20
Pay: $16.23/hour
Season: Jan 15, 2027 – Nov 15, 2027
Experience: 3 months
Employer-provided housing; Transportation provided/reimbursed
The job
Crops/Commodities: alligators.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Workers must perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Work includes feeding and maintenance of alligators, harvesting of alligators and eggs and returning of wild alligators to marshes. Field prep includes manual shovel work on levees and manual hoeing of weeds, spot spraying and general farm labor. Work also includes tractor driving, water maintenance, fertilizing, planting and harvesting. Workers will help repair and maintain alligator houses, buildings, equipment, farm, fences, fields, levees, marshes, roads and workshop. Workers will load and unload trucks.
Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop operations. Workers should be in good physical health and physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.
Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may be asked to drive other workers.
While the employer does not require prospective applicants to take and pass a drug test prior to a hiring decision, the employer has a no- exceptions drug policy requiring newly-hired employees to take and pass an employer-paid drug test. Every new hire must undergo testing before starting work with the company. All testing is conducted uniformly after an initial job offer has been extended and accepted by the new hire. If an employee tests positive, he/she is immediately terminated and paid for all hours worked between the first date of employment and the date of termination, if any. In the case of a non-local or foreign worker who is terminated for failure to pass a drug test, the employer will arrange least-cost transportation to the worker's place of recruitment, at the worker's expense. The employer will also test upon reasonable suspicion of use.
The employer requires that all new hires for employment pass an employer-paid background check. All background checks are conducted uniformly after an initial job offer has been extended and accepted by the new hire. Applicants found to have convictions for violent (assault, child molestation and similar) and/or burglary/theft convictions within the past five years, will be immediately terminated and paid for all hours worked between the first date of employment and the date of termination, if any. In the case of a foreign worker who is terminated for cause resulting from findings of the background check, the employer will arrange least-cost transportation to the worker's place of recruitment, at the worker's expense.
Employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason. Job opportunity is Skill Level II. Workers must be able to perform all primary duties independently and without close supervision.
Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.
TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies.
Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)
Meals: Employer does not provide meals. Employer-provided housing includes free and convenient kitchen facilities with appropriate equipment, appliances, cooking accessories, and dishwashing facilities for meal preparation. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free transportation once per week to/from closest town or city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Dining, kitchen/cooking facilities and other common areas are shared by all workers. In the event that kitchen facilities become unavailable during the contract period, employer will provide three daily meals in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(g). In such circumstances, employer will deduct the cost of such meals up to the maximum allowable amount published in the Federal Register, or as otherwise approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Transport: Employer pays/reimburses foreign workers for all visa-related costs (excluding passport fees) in the first workweek. Workers responsible for securing inbound transportation arrangements. For non-local workers, employer reimburses reasonable travel costs (transportation, daily subsistence, and lodging if applicable), at least-cost economy-class rates, from the place worker departed to the employer’s place of employment.
Experience wanted: 3 months
This job requires a minimum of three months of verifiable prior experience working on an alligator farm, handling both manual and machine tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Work on feet in bent positions, stoop, reach and kneel for long periods of time. Lift/carry 80 pounds to a height of 5 feet over the course of the work day. Work is to be done for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Must be in good physical health. Work in excessive humidity and heat up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Post-hire employer-paid drug testing and background check required.
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