Tractor Operator

Location: Uwet, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Purpose

• The Tractor Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and productive operation of tractors and agricultural machinery to support plantation, farming, land preparation, crop management, harvesting, transportation, and maintenance activities.
• The role ensures that all equipment is operated in accordance with safety regulations, maintenance standards, environmental requirements, and operational objectives while maximizing productivity and minimizing equipment downtime.

Key Responsibilities
Machinery Operation:

• Operate machinery efficiently to achieve daily operational targets while minimizing fuel consumption and equipment wear.
• Tractors and related agricultural equipment are safely operated, including ploughs, harrows, sprayers, trailers, slashers, mowers, cultivators, and other attachments.
• Carry out land preparation, planting, cultivation, spraying, fertilization, harvesting, and haulage activities as assigned.
• Ensure the safe transportation of materials, crops, fertilizer, seedlings, equipment, and personnel where authorized.
• Follow operational plans, work schedules, and supervisor instructions to support plantation and agricultural activities.

Field Operations and Land Management:

• Assist with irrigation canal cleaning, drainage maintenance, and access road upkeep.
• Perform land clearing, mowing, grass cutting, weed control, and field maintenance activities.
• Support environmental management and land conservation initiatives.
• Ensure field activities are completed according to operational and agronomic standards.
• Prepare fields, roads, and work sites for agricultural and plantation activities.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance:

• Maintain machinery in a clean, serviceable, and operational condition at all times.
• Identify and report equipment faults, mechanical defects, breakdowns, and maintenance requirements promptly.
• Perform routine servicing, cleaning, lubrication, and minor repairs on assigned equipment.
• Conduct daily pre-operation and post-operation inspections of tractors and attachments.
• Check fuel levels, engine oil, hydraulic fluids, tires, brakes, lights, batteries, cooling systems, and other critical components.

Safety and Compliance:

• Immediately report accidents, unsafe conditions, near misses, and equipment malfunctions.
• Operate equipment safely to prevent accidents, injuries, property damage, and environmental incidents.
• Adhere to all company safety policies, agricultural safety standards, and traffic regulations.
• Participate in safety training, toolbox meetings, and emergency response drills.
• Wear and maintain required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure proper documentation of repairs, servicing, and equipment utilization.
• Complete daily equipment inspection checklists and field operation reports.
• Report operational challenges, equipment downtime, and productivity issues to supervisors.
• Maintain accurate records of machine operating hours, fuel consumption, maintenance activities, and completed assignments.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Support organizational compliance with environmental and agricultural certification standards where applicable.
• Handle fuel, lubricants, chemicals, and agricultural inputs responsibly.
• Operate machinery in a manner that minimizes environmental impact.
• Comply with environmental, sustainability, and plantation management requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety compliance and accident-free operation.
• Tractor and equipment availability.
• Timely completion of assigned field activities.
• Daily field productivity against assigned targets.
• Equipment utilization rate.
• Reduction in equipment breakdowns and downtime.
• Fuel efficiency performance.
• Quality of land preparation and field maintenance work.
• Preventive maintenance compliance rate.

Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Minimum of Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or equivalent.
• Vocational training in agriculture, mechanics, heavy equipment operation, or related disciplines is an advantage.

Professional Certifications:

• Relevant machinery operation certificates are desirable.
• Valid driver's license with authorization to operate tractors and agricultural machinery.
• Defensive Driving Certification is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Familiarity with modern agricultural technologies, including GPS-guided equipment, is an advantage
• 3–5 years of experience operating tractors, agricultural machinery, or heavy equipment.
• Experience in oil palm plantations, agriculture, forestry, landscaping, construction, or related industries is preferred.

Required Competencies:
Technical Competencies:

• Knowledge of workplace health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Proficiency in tractor and agricultural machinery operation.
• Knowledge of tractor mechanics, hydraulic systems, and machinery maintenance.
• Familiarity with GPS-enabled agricultural equipment is an advantage
• Ability to perform routine inspections and basic mechanical troubleshooting.
• Understanding of land preparation, spraying, cultivation, harvesting, and transportation operations.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Dependability and commitment to operational excellence.
• Ability to follow instructions and standard operating procedures.
• High level of reliability and accountability.
• Strong safety consciousness.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to remain focusedand alert during prolonged machinery operation.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work for extended periods in outdoor environments.
• Good physical health and stamina.
• Adequate vision, coordination, and manual dexterity required for safe equipment operation.
• Ability to sit, operate machinery, and perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work under varying weather and field conditions.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily field-based and outdoor work environment.
• Occasional work during weekends, public holidays, or extended hours during peak operational periods.
• Requirement to travel between operational sites and plantation divisions as needed.
• Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, heat, rain, and varying weather conditions.
• Regular use of agricultural machinery and equipment.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), Application Letters and other relevant documents / credentials to: [email protected] and [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.
Or
Hand-deliver Applications to:
The Plantation Head,
Biase Plantations Limited, Calaro Estate,
Mbarakom, Akamkpa Local Government Area,
Cross River State.

Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The organization is committed to promoting equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
• Biaes Plantations Limited is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Qualified candidates will be considered based on merit, competence, experience, and business requirements.