potential employee know how the day-to-day reporting structure works. Use current employees to develop this section of the
job description. They can give valuable input on the tasks and responsibilities that should be included.
Step 4: List necessary skills and experience. This section should include knowledge, experience, education and training
necessary to perform the job. Must-have skills should include the word “required.” While it might be tempted to list every
qualification you envision in an ideal candidate, too many responsibilities may discourage people from applying. If a skill
would be nice to have but would not exclude potential candidates if they don’t have it, use the word “preferred.” For example,
“truck driving experience required, CDL preferred.”
This section should include both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical requirements that are necessary to perform
the job, such as “operate skid steer.” Soft skills are behavioral or personality traits that could help an individual be successful in
the role. Examples of soft skills are “handle cattle calmly” or “work well with a team.” Physical requirements should also be
included. For example: “ability to lift 50 pounds routinely” or “position requires standing for long periods of time.”
Sample Job Description
CROP PRODUCTION TEAM MEMBER
Farmer Family Farms is a large, row-crop operation located in Anytown, WI. We grow corn, soybeans, and wheat in
northwest Any County. We run a progressive agricultural operation that uses some of the newest precision ag technologies
and practices available. We are family owned and value our employees like part of our extended family.
Job Duties include, but are not limited to:
Manage precision agriculture equipment and ensuring accurate collection of data in field
Perform light maintenance on equipment and working around the shop
Operate farm equipment including tillage, nutrient application, sprayers, tender trucks, and harvesting including use of on-
board computing systems
Operate tractor-trailers related to logistics of grain and agricultural inputs
Utilize technology in farming practices on every trip across our farm
Perform light maintenance of equipment including oil changes, changing wear points, light welding, and working on
implements
Maintain clean working area in shop, on grounds, and in tractors
Follow farm safety guidelines and training
Skills and Experience:
3-5 years of production agricultural experience required
Willing to work long hours during planting and harvesting. During planting and harvesting season, it is not uncommon to
work long hours; outside of that we typically work 40 -45 hours a week with occasional weekends.
Demonstrate a general knowledge of agronomic management practices as well as willingness to learn and ability to use
the technology associated with modern equipment and record keeping.
Knowledge of mechanical operation of agricultural equipment including routine maintenance and repair.
Ability to work as a team and assist others depending on the task at hand
Effective communication with colleagues and with management including the ability to develop a productive and
cooperative relationship with others.
Valid driver’s license required, CDL preferred
Ability to lift 50 pounds routinely. Heavier lifts less frequently with assistance available
Driven personality, desire to succeed, and a team player with a positive attitude
Use this simple, step-by-step process to develop job descriptions for all positions on your farm. Your completed job
descriptions can also be the basis for your job postings when you have a vacancy. To modify a job description into a job
posting, add information about compensation, benefits, housing and how to apply.
For more information about developing job descriptions or any other aspect of your farm employee recruiting efforts,
see Extension’s Human Resource Management in Agriculture resources.
Versweyveld is the Extension agriculture educator in Walworth County, Wis. This column is provided by the University of
Wisconsin-Extension Dairy Team.