Field Workers

Job description

Field Workers (Broccoli, Head Lettuce Wrap, Clean & Core Head Lettuce, Romaine Carton, Romaine Top and Tail Value added, Romaine Heart/Mixed Leaf Carton, Cabbage, Tender Leaf Harvest, and Agricultural Equipment Operator)

Broccoli: Broccoli employees cut, pack, bunch, and load fresh broccoli in the field. Cutting is done by walking in uneven furrows behind a harvesting platform machine or belt. Under the direction of the field Supervisors, employees determine size and quality of the product to be harvested. Then, using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the employee grasps the produce, cuts the head from the roots and trims the outer leaves from the head to prepare it to be placed into a tote, bin or carton. Cutter places the product on a table or conveyor for the packer/sorter to either or combination of; sort, bunch or cut in to florets and place into a tote, bin or carton. Packers will secure empty containers from designated racks and fill the totes and cartons to specification. Product from conveyer will be packed in to bins. Once totes or cartons are filled they are pushed on to conveyor belt for loaders to close/cover and stack on the pallet. Product on conveyor falls in to bins. The totes, bins and cartons for the product are constructed by unfolding and bending the material as designed to form a box. Totes, bins and cartons are labeled and marked as required. The process is repeated. The totes and cartons are lifted then stacked onto pallets on the deck of the harvester or trailer. Totes or cartons with product can weigh up to 50 lbs. Empty bins Pallets can weigh up to 95 lbs and are lifted by a machine. Between two workers the empty pallets are carried, and bins are assembled.

Head Lettuce Clean and Core: Heavy field work to harvest cored head lettuce in preparation for value added processing. Manual cutting is done by walking in uneven furrows behind a harvesting conveyor belt or riding a machine platform. Under the direction of the field Supervisors, the worker then determines the size and quality of the cored lettuce to be harvested and using a harvesting knife with a coring attachment, the employee bends at the waist, grasps produce and cuts the head from its roots. Employee then trims the outer leaves from the head and removes core with the coring attachment. Employee inspects the head lettuce for defects and places head onto the belt. The process is repeated. The cored lettuce is then carried down the belt where employees inspect quality, core, and remove loose leaves prior to being dropped in a bin where it is sorted to bin capacity. Bins are constructed and sorted directly on the trailer on a pallet. Bins may weigh up to 50 lbs. empty. Pallets may weigh up to 95 lbs. empty. Between two workers the empty pallets are carried, and bins are assembled.

Special Requirements

Must have 1-month work experience with the produce as defined in this application including harvest work. Specific requirements include lifting to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk on uneven ground and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in field or housing.