Pennsylvania

1
Pennsylvania Supervised Agricultural Experience
Employment Pages
A Guide to Completing the PA FFA Employment
Record Book
2
What is an employment SAE?
An employment SAE is
. the placement of students on farms or in an
agricultural businesses, to provide a "learning
by doing" environment. These SAEs are done
outside of normal classroom hours and may be paid
or non-paid.
3
Every Employment Record book section begins with
The Agreement Page
Your enterprise name and number should be the
same as you entered in the second column on your
common pages title page.
This page should be completed at the beginning of
the project year in ink.
Hibernia County Park
1
January
first
20XX
Justin Fox
Ed Maxx
Hibernia County Park
Enter your employers name and the name of the
business.
Enter the date you were hired for this position
or the first day of the New Year if you were
employed by the same employer last year.
Enter your name the same way as on the Common
pages cover page.
4
Every Employment Record book section begins with
The Agreement Page
Hibernia County Park
1
Enter the dates employment will end. In most
cases this is the end of the calendar year, but
in some cases (summer employment, where employees
apply each year) there is a fixed date for
employment to end.
In most cases the beginning dates will agree with
the dates at the top of the page. The only
exception would be if you will actually start
work sometime in the future (example beginning
June 15)
first
name
name
name
name
Hibernia County Park
first
May
December
20XX
31st
20XX
5
In the middle of this page you will find the
particulars for this job.
The Agreement Page
This page should be completed at the beginning of
the project year.
Ed Maxx
Monday through Friday 3PM until 8PM
Saturdays from July 1 to September 30
No over time is worked or paid
With two weeks notice
Enter the name of the person responsible for
training (this may or may not be the same as your
employer).
Enter the hours your employer expects you to be
available for work.
Its good to have these provisions for overtime
and time off in writing.
6
The Agreement Page
Ed Maxx
Monday through Friday 3PM until 8PM
You should also know when you can expect your
first raise and what you will be paid after
receiving this raise.
Its important to know how much you can expect to
be paid before you start the job.
Saturdays from July 1 to September 30
No overtime worked or paid
With two weeks notice
Workmans Compensation
6.00 per hour
If deductions are taken from your pay, you have
Workmans Compensation in PA.
6.50 per hour
Weekly
How often will you be paid, weekly, bi-weekly,
bi-monthly or monthly?
7
The Agreement Page
And at the bottom of the page, there are things
you should keep in mind as you begin employment.
Finally, at the bottom of the page, list any
additional expectations you or your employer
might have.
The employee is responsible for supplying his own
tools.
8
The second page of the employment contract spells
out exactly what each party expects from the
employee (you).
Page 2
Make sure your employer has read the expectations
and enter any other considerations here before
signing at the bottom of the page.
Make sure your parent is involved with your SAE
also. If they have any concerns about your job,
it should be entered here.
Maintain a safe work place
Provide transportation for the student to the job
site
This page should be completed at the beginning of
the project year.
9
The bottom of page two provides space for
signatures as well as other pertinent
information. This should be completed before the
start of your employment.
Page 2
By signing this contract, each person (you, your
employer, your parent and your teacher) indicates
that they have read this contract and agree to
each entry.
Provide instruction on safe use of equipment.
Ed Maxx
Justin Fox
1/1/XX
1/1/XX
123 Park Rd
1234 Big Valley Rd
Newtonwn
Hometown
PA
PA
12XXX
12XXX
XXX-XXX-XXXX
7/15/19XX
XXX-XX-XXXX
John Fox
Joe Educator
1/1/XX
1/1/XX
1234 Big Valley Rd
Your High School
12XXX
12XXX
PA
XXX-XXX-XXXX
XXX-XXX-XXXX
10
Show that you are familiar with the business you
are working for. This should be completed at the
beginning of the project year. Be sure to use
sentences.
Page 3
Hibernia County park encompasses 2473 acres of
land in northern Chester County. The park
includes a 127 acre lake which is open for
fishing (by boats with electric motors only), 29
picnic pavilion, 41 miles of hiking trails and an
amphitheatre. A restored 1750s mansion is open
for tours on special occasions. During the peak
use summer season, 51 individuals are employed by
the park. During the winter an 8 person crew is
responsible for the park. On a nice summer
weekend over 5000 people may use the park. In
winter ice fishing and cross country skiing are
the main activities. Equipment ranges from large
commercial lawn mowers to bulldozers and
gators. All equipment and facilities is
maintained by park personnel.
11
Goal setting is an important part of any job.
Goals help you determine what you need to do to
do a good job. In the middle of page 3 you need
to set some goals for your employment period.
Page 3

• Because I would like to work as a park ranger, my
  primary goal is to learn first hand the duties
  and responsibilities of a park ranger.
• I would like to save money for my college
  education.
• I would like to save enough money to cover car
  insurance.

12
Page 3
This page should be completed at the beginning of
the project year.
Record the information below from the analysis
sheet for an employment project. Analysis sheets
can be found on the PA FFA website.
Hours / year
400
300
200
380
Days Missed
4
0
2
6
100
80
goal met
100
95
Months to raise
3
1
1
1.5
Safety violations
4
1
0
0
Note Only 3 efficiency factors are listed on the
.employment analysis sheet. Fell free to develop
others specific to your job.
Now that you know the average and superior
figures for each efficiency factor, its time to
set your own goals.
Finally, record your achievement from the
analysis page at the end of the project year.
13
On this page list specific jobs and
responsibilities performed at your place of
employment. These will be items that you may not
do until months or even years after starting to
work.
Page 4
You might find it easier to list the jobs and
responsibilities here first, and then evaluate
yourself and enter the date in the appropriate
column on the right hand side for each approved
practice.
Empty and clean trash cans
5-1-XX
Mow grass with a push mower
5-1-XX
Use weed whacker to trim along hiking trails
5-1-XX
Identify poison ivy and poison oak
5-1-XX
Greet park visitors and answer questions
5-1-XX
Properly mix 2 cycle gas for weed whackers
5-1-XX
5-1-XX
7-1-XX
Operate commercial lawn mowers
Sharpen blades for commercial mowers
5-1-XX
14
On this page list specific jobs and
responsibilities performed at your place of
employment. These will be items that you may not
do until months or even years after starting to
work.
Page 4
Be sure to reevaluate yourself throughout the
year to add can do well dates to the can do
well column
Empty and clean trash cans
5-1-XX
Mow grass with a push mower
5-1-XX
Use weed whacker to trim hiking trails
5-1-XX
6-1-XX
Identify poison ivy and poison oak
5-1-XX
5-5-XX
Greet park visitors answer questions
5-1-XX
Properly mix 2 cycle gas
5-1-XX
5-9-XX
6-1-XX
5-1-XX
7-1-XX
Operate commercial lawn mowers
Sharpen blades for commercial mowers
5-1-XX
15
Page 4
After you have completed this page (at the
beginning of the project year) be sure to obtain
the signatures of your employer, parent or
guardian and your teacher. By signing this you
show that all parties involved (student, parent,
employer and teacher understand what is expected.

Also sign it yourself!
Ed Maxx
Justin Fox
1/1/20XX
1/3/20XX
Joe Educator
John Fox
1/4/20XX
1/1/20XX
Your teacher will probably not sign this page
until he/she sees that you have the other
necessary signatures.
16
Page 5
ESTIMATE (guess) your income for the project
year.
Complete this page at the beginning of the
project year.
Begin by estimating how many hours you are going
to work in January (or the first month you work).
Then enter the amount you are paid per hour and
finally the total dollars.
Be sure to include any anticipated raises when
entering /hour.
20
6.00
120.00
20
120.00
6.00
20
120.00
6.00
6.50
130.00
20
130.00
20
6.50
130.00
20
6.50
In your estimations, consider increasing your
estimates for the summer months when you are not
in school.
52
6.50
338.00
52
338.00
6.50
52
338.00
6.50
20
140.00
6.50
Dont forget to lower your hour estimate if your
hours change again (as on your agreement page).
140.00
20
6.50
140.00
6.50
20
2094.00
Enter the total amount.
17
Estimate your expenses (including deductions)
based on the your income estimates at the top of
the page. (Multiply the total estimated income by
the for each deduction)
Page 5
Other expense categories are for other job
related expenses.
160.42
30.36
41.88
314.10
58.63
20.94
100.00
Work clothes
150.00
Tools
876.33
1217.67
Subtract the total in this section
This will give you an estimate of the money you
will have after you have paid your expenses for
this job.
From the total in the section at the top of the
page.
18
At the bottom of page 5, you will be working with
opportunity costs for your employment.
Opportunity cost is the cost of doing business,
or the loss of income you could have received if
you had placed the money you invested in your
business in a bank or another investment
opportunity. For example if you have invested
500 in inventory for your place of employment,
you could have earned 30 interest if you had
taken this 500 and invested it at 5 interest.
Because you chose to use the 500 for inventory
you will not receive the 30. Interest rates
should be based on current economic conditions
(interest rates at your local bank)
You do the calculations in this section to show
yourself how much money you COULD have earned by
investing the amount you have in inventory Follow
the directions to make the calculations. Be sure
to properly convert the interest rate to a
decimel. For example 5 is .05.
19
First enter the total value of the inventory for
your job from page 7, line B.
Page 5
Multiply the value on line D by the interest on
line E. Be sure to properly convert the interest
to a decimel.
On line F The opportunity costs are a cost of
doing business, or the loss of income one has not
received if you had placed the money in the bank
or some other investment opportunity. The
interest rates should be set based upon current
economic conditions.

3

3


Add lines E and F to get total Opportunity costs

Subtract line G from line C (in the middle of the
page)
20
List anything you own that you need for your job.
List only those things you use for your job
personal items are recorded on page S-2. Be
sure to include units.
Page 6
In the beginning of year columns, list those
things you had on the first day of the project
year (January 1st or the day you started your
job).
Work boots
1 pair
50.00
50.00
Do not record anything in the end of year
columns until the end of the year (when you are
closing out your record book.
Safety glasses
1 pair
5.00
5.00
Leather gloves
3 pairs
7.50
22.50
Hats
8 hats
3.00
24.00
Insect spray
½ can
6.50
3.25
Jeans
2 pair
20.00
20.00
Work shirts
3 shirts
12.00
36.00
Hard hat
1 hat
45.00
45.00
21
When you are closing out your record book at the
end of the year.
Page 7
The values for items you owned at the beginning
of the year will probably change.
Work boots
1 pair
50.00
50.00
1 pair
40.00
40.00
Safety glasses
1 pair
5.00
5.00
0.00
0.00
Leather gloves
3 pair
7.50
22.50
3 pair
2.00
6.00
Hats
8 hats
3.00
24.00
5 hats
2.00
10.00
Chain Saw Chaps
1 pair
75.00
75.00
Chain Saw Shirt
2 shirts
33.00
66.00
1 pair
New Boots
99.95
99.95
Insect spray
¾ can
8.00
6.00
and then record the value of items acquired under
end of year.
list the items acquired during the year under
item description,
22
Page 7





Use the top of page 7 to record any additional
inventory items, if necessary.
At the beginning of the project year, after you
have entered all of your inventory, add the
values listed in the beginning of the year
column, remembering to carry values from page 6.
At the end of the year add the values listed in
the end of the year column. Be sure to carry
values from page 6.
Finally, calculate your increase or decrease in
inventory by subtracting the beginning values
from the ending values and carry this amount to
page 16, line D. Be sure to indicate an increase
() or loss (-).
23
Pages 8-11
On these pages you record your income as it is
received. Page 8 and 9 are completed at the same
time.
Once the left-hand page is completed, transfer
the totals on line 1, page 8 to the correct
column on the right-hand page. Continue this
process for the rest of the entries. Totals
should be transferred to the next pages and then
to page 16.
Enter the date of income, time paid for
(Quantity and unit), /unit and total amount
received before deductions.
Page 8
Page 9
The category code should agree with the column
number on the right-hand page.
See examples on next slide.
24
Pages 8-11
Page 8
2-10-XX 22 hours 6.00 per hour
cash 2
132.00
3-15-XX 10 hrs.
6.00/hr. Cash
3 60.00
First entry.
Note Category Code number matches number of the
column of the month payment was received.
Make sure entries on page 9 are on the same line
as on previous page.
Note Category Code number matches number of the
column of the month payment was received.
Next entry.
Page 9
132.00
60.00
25
Pages 8-11
Total the last column when the page is filled
with entries.
Page 8
Transfer this total to the top of page 10 or
your next income page. At the end of the project
year, transfer this total to page 16.
































Page 9
Page 9

Transfer these totals to the top of page 11 or
your next monthly income page. At the end of the
project year, transfer this total to page 16.












Total the columns for each month at the end of
each month. This figure tells you how much
money you earned that month.
Make sure all columns with entries have been
totaled.
Make sure that your total on page 8 equals the
total of the months on page 9, if not, recheck
your math.
26
Pages 12-15
Now that you understand the income pages, the
expense pages will be easy.
Enter your expenses on page 12. In employment
enterprises, most of your expenses will be
deductions from your pay check.
Page 14
Page12
Next enter itemized deductions in the appropriate
columns on page 14.
You may also have miscellaneous other categories
for job related expenses.
Make sure each entry is entered on the same line
on each page. For example, your first entry for
your first paycheck deductions would be made on
line 1 on both pages.
27
Pages 12-15
In this first example, all of the deductions on a
pay check have been added together. Note the
first example printed on page 12.
No quantity and unit or /unit since the taxes
you paid are combined on this page.
Enter the total taxes paid under Total Paid.
In the second example, you are purchasing
something for use in your job.
Taxes / government
2-10-XX


Non-cash
26.30
2-15-XX
75.00
1 pair
Saw Chaps - Goods
check
75.00
Dont forget to enter amounts on page 13!
Page12
Now itemize your deductions into the appropriate
columns on page 13.
It is important that these entries add up to the
total you entered on line one on page 12!
10.00
0.50
2.50
8.00
4.00
1.30
75.00
Page 13
Remember to total columns and transfer totals to
the top of the next page (or page 16 at the end
of the project year).
28
Complete the first column of this page at the
beginning of the project year. Complete the
actual column at the end of the year.
On this page in your record book, you summarize
your income and expenses and compare these
figures to the estimates you made at the
beginning of the project year.
Page 16
First copy the budgeted income you estimated for
each month on page 5.
Copy the budgeted expenses you estimated for
each expense category on page 5.
Enter your actual income from the total at the
bottom of the last income page (page 8 or 10).
You can also transfer this total each month.
Copy the actual expenses you entered for each
expense category from the totals at the bottom of
the last expense page (page 13 or 15).
29
Page 16
Copy increase (or decrease) in income figures
from page 7, line C.
Calculate your labor income by adding your total
income from line C at the top of this page and
your inventory change. Enter this figure on line
E below. Make sure you dont miss any negative
numbers if there was a negative change in
inventory.




Transfer your total hours of labor (hours worked)
from the bottom of page 20 (or your last diary
page).
Finally, calculate your actual income per hour of
labor (line E divided by line F).
30
Before you begin recording the diary of your time
worked, decide if you are going to record your
time in minutes or hours and BE CONSISTENT. DO
NOT use a combination of hours and minutes.
Pages 17-20
Circle the correct unit you are going to use.
Good diary entry.
Although it is the off season at Hibernia Park,
the weather is nice and I
3-1-XX
2
Was called in to work on clearing down trees from
one of the trails.
Bad diary entry
Worked for two hours
3-1-XX
2
Write your diary entries in complete sentences,
using correct punctuation. Use more than one line
if needed to record a good explanation of what
you did each day.
Be sure to record skills learned and goals (from
page 3) attained.
31
Continue making your entries in complete
sentences, using correct punctuation.
Pages 17-20

As you complete a diary page, total the time
worked column and transfer this total to the top
of the next diary page.
After you enter the last diary entry of the
project year, total the column and carry this
final total to page 16, line F. If you recorded
your time in minutes, make sure you have
converted this time to hours!
32
Page 21
I received my raise on June 15 two weeks after
starting work. Only 1 other person has gotten
their initial raise so quickly. I was unable to
work for two days July 3 4 because I had a
bad case of poison oak. I can now identify
poison oak. I took off one week for our annual
family summer trip to Ocean City. I purchased a
set of chain saw chaps for safety when running
the weed whacker
The special conditions page gives you an
opportunity to explain unusual events, expenses
or income. Any item that would cause things to
not go as planned should be explained on this
page.
Make sure appropriate entries are made in your
diary and/or expense or income pages to reflect
data mentioned on this page.
33
Page 22 Analysis Page
Complete this page at the end of the project year.
The analysis page helps you to analyze the
records you have kept all year. It is a valuable
tool for you to use as you plan the next years
project.
Go to the next slide for help to complete the top
of this page.
34
Page 22 Analysis Page
1
Hibernia County Park
Justin Fox
5/1/20XX
12/31/20XX
Your High School

Your County

Complete the information at the top of the
analysis page so it agrees with page 1 and 2 (the
agreement pages).
Summer trail crew
XXXX hours


-gt
-gt
Calculate your receipts using the formula show,
(page 7A plus page 16A).
Record hours of labor from the end of your diary
pages, this must agree with page 16, line F.
Calculate your expenses using the formula shown
(page 7B plus page 16B).
Calculate labor income by subtracting your
expenses (line y) from your receipts (line x).
This figure must match page 16 line E.
Calculate your return per hour by dividing your
labor income (line Z) by your hours of labor
(line A). NOTE This number MUST match page 16,
line G).
35
Page 22 Analysis Page
G
A 380
400
Place a red G on the hours of labor line (line
A). In this example the student set a goal of 400
hours of labor (see bottom of page 3), so you
would place a red G at the end of the line.
A
G
0
4
A
G
95
G stands for student GOAL. A stands for
student ACHIEVEMENT
Place a red A on the hours of labor line (line
A). In this example, the student worked 380
hours (see bottom of page 3 and analysis sheet
and end of diary these figures should all
agree).
Follow the same procedure for the other
Efficiency Factors. (Be sure your As and Gs
agree with the bottom of page 3.)
36
Photo Pages
Pages 23 24
Jurstin Fox
Its important to keep a photographic record of
your work experience.
Have a co-worker (or your employer) take a
picture of you on the job.
Hibernia Park
July 27, 20XX
Take a picture that shows you doing your job,
showing what you do, not just posing for the
camera.
Insert a picture no larger than 4 inches by 6
inches.
Enter the date the picture was taken and the
location.
Make sure the picture is well focused.
I am feeding the trout at the nursery with Ed
Max, former FFA member, who is my immediate
supervisor. Besides feeding we need to check
water flow, aeration and health of the trout. If
needed we treat the trout for diseases or
parasites.
37
July 27, 20XX
Hibernia Park
Pages 23 24
Photo Pages
In fifty words or less, describe the picture in
detail. Use complete sentences.
I am shown using the weed whacker in front of the
colonial barn at Hibernia Park. While weed
whacking we must be aware of our own and the
public safety. We must also be able to identify
rare and unusual plants which occur at Hibernia
so they are not destroyed.
38
For additional hints on completing your
employment record book, refer to the scorecard
used in the state record book CDE.
Take special notice to the instructions in
parentheses on the score sheet, especially must
agree with, etc.)
39
Reminders from the Judges at the State Record
Book CDE
On page 3, many students describe what they do at
work rather than describing the business, and
list only one goal for employment ( you should
have at least 2).
At the bottom of page 3, many students do not
know that efficiency factors come from the
Analysis Sheet for Employment Enterprise (this
can be found on the PA FFA website.
On page 4, students need to show that they have
gained experience during the year by
re-evaluating themselves throughout the year.
On income and expense sections, a common mistake
is that entries are not on the same line on
facing pages.
On the expenses page 12 and 13, make sure the
itemized deductions (page 13, etc) equal total
dollars paid (page 12, etc).
40

• Page 16 Reminders
• Be sure budgeted dollar entries agree with page
  5.
• Be sure actual dollar income agrees with pages
  8-11 and actual dollar expenses agrees with page
  12-15.
• Be sure total hours agrees with your diary.
• IF YOU KEPT YOUR DIARY IN MINUTES, BE SURE YOU
  HAVE CONVERTED THE MINUTES TO HOURS.

• Diary Section Reminders
• Sentences, sentences, sentences
• At the beginning of the diary, record those
  things you normally do every day then for each
  day worked, record unusual or out of the
  ordinary occurrences.
• Be sure you carry your total from the bottom of
  one page to the top of the next page.

EVERYONE HAS SPECIAL CONDITIONS THEY CAN ENTER ON
PAGE 21.
Have a co-worker or parent take photos showing
what you do at work.
41
You may want to consider applying for a state FFA
proficiency award. Your specific job will
determine which proficiency award you apply for.
See your advisor for a complete list of
proficiency awards OR view this list on the
national FFA website FFA.org. You will enter
your information on an employment application.
Proficiency applications are available from your
advisor or you may download them from the
national website.
When you apply for your Keystone degree you will
enter your employment information on page 5 of
the application.
When you apply for your Keystone degree you may
be eligible to apply as a star candidate in
either Agribusiness or Agricultural Placement.
See your advisor or the state website for more
details.
You may also want to apply for the
agri-entrepreneurship award if you own your own
business. See your advisor or the national
website for more details.
42
This concludes the presentation on the
Employment pages. You may want to go back and
review this presentation at the end of the
project year for help in closing out your record
book.
Well be looking for your record book at the
Pennsylvania Record Book CDE in February.