Farmworkers & Laborers, Crop

Job description

Pull weeds/chop: Workers will walk along rows as specified by employer and remove weeds and grass from fields by hand or using a hoe. Plant onions. Hand-harvest onions and melons. Pull plastic. Workers will perform assigned duties as instructed by their supervisor. May operate and perform minor maintenance and repairs on farm vehicles, implements and equipment. May repair fences, greenhouses, farm buildings and other structures, or perform irrigation activities. Perform farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Mow grass and operate trimmer around farm buildings. Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting. Operate farm vehicles to haul crops and drive other farmworkers from place to place around the farm properties (including on public roads to reach farmer’s fields) during the workday. Though not a hiring requirement, if a worker drives a company vehicle during the period of employment then at the time of operating the company vehicle the driver must possess a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or foreign equivalent and operate the company vehicle in accordance with the license restrictions and vehicle classifications applicable to that license.

Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, shears and knives. Clip top stem and bottom roots off of onions with shears as instructed by supervisor and fill a five gallon bucket. Lift and dump full five gallon bucket into bin. Pick up any loose or dropped onions and place back into bucket being careful not to drop from a height greater than eight inches at any time.

Melons: Workers will walk along rows and cut melons for harvest according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity by using a knife. May carry harvested melons to field truck and load melons on truck or trailer by hand. May unload and pack harvested melons at on-farm packing shed. Workers will not haul or pack melons at a remote shed off the farm.

All workers are required to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly important when touching crops for human consumption. Workers are required to cleanse their hands by washing thoroughly with soap and water before entering field for harvest activities and after each break. Smoking and the use of tobacco products prohibited during working time.

Special Requirements

Prolonged walking, standing, bending, stooping and reaching. The use or possession or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during working time is prohibited. Workers may be requested to submit to random drug or alcohol tests at no cost to the worker. Failure to comply with the request or testing positive may result in immediate termination. All testing will occur post-hire and is not a part of the interview process. Negative result required before starting work. Must be able to lift 75 lbs. to shoulder height repetitively throughout the workday and able to lift and carry 75 lbs. in field. Must not hinder another workers productivity. Use of personal cell phone or other personal electronic device during working hours strictly prohibited except for work-related calls or emergencies and violation may result in immediate termination. Requires three months verifiable farm worker experience in the crop activities listed. Must commit to work entire contract period.