Farm Workers And Bus Drivers

Job description

Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade and pack cabbage, napa cabbage, squash, sweet corn, and eggplant by hand. Plant, cultivate and harvest cotton and peanuts by machine. When harvesting sweet corn, workers will either be walking behind a moving trailer while pulling sweet corn off the stalk and tossing up into trays on the trailer; driving the mule train equipment; assembling boxes; packing corn into boxes; tying and pushing the packed boxes down the trailer; closing the lid of the packed boxes; or loading the boxes onto the back of the trailer. When harvesting cabbage and napa cabbage, workers will either be walking behind a moving trailer, bending and reaching while using a knife to cut at the base of the head of the mature cabbage and tossing it up into trays on the trailer; packing the cut cabbage into boxes on the trailer; pushing the packed boxes down rollers; or stacking and loading 50 lb. packed boxes. When harvesting squash or eggplant workers will either be walking behind a moving trailer, bending and reaching while using a knife to cut the mature squash off the vine and placing them into 10-gallon buckets; packing the squash into boxes on the trailer; pushing the packed boxes down rollers; or stacking and loading boxes.

Determine maturity level of produce quickly and consistently by color, feel, appearance and size and apply correct defect tolerance, handling and harvest standards as instructed by supervisor. Make sure that plants are picked clean of all produce of correct size and maturity according to supervisors' instructions being careful not to bruise or damage produce. Work in groups to harvest crops with agricultural equipment that is moving through the field along with workers while being careful not to damage crops. Clean, grade, sort, pack and stack produce by size, weight, color or condition, and count, check and load harvested products of up to 50 lbs. in fields or at the packing shed.

Use hand tools such as shovels, hoes, tampers and knives. Pull weeds and apply herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides to crops. Till soil, lay and remove plastic and drip irrigation tape. Set up, operate, repair and maintain irrigation equipment. Clear and maintain irrigation ditches. Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs. Clean work areas. Minor activities may include: repairing fences or farm buildings; operating, repairing and maintaining farm vehicles, tractors, and/or tractor-drawn machinery to cultivate and harvest crops; and tending to cattle. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Light cattle work: workers will feed, keep an eye out for illness and help with vaccinations.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honeybees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Workers with the appropriate licensing will drive buses and safely transport workers to and from the housing and worksite locations. Workers may also be asked to transport crops and equipment. Workers will otherwise perform the primary agricultural job duties. Workers will drive other workers to town once a week so they can do their grocery/household/personal shopping.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable farm work experience required. Worker must have and maintain a valid driver's license: Class A CDL or equivalent. Must comply with all applicable requirements of USDOT regulations. Must pass a post-employment road test to gauge driving ability. Employer uniformly conducts a post-employment DOT physical, drug screen, background check and motor vehicle records check at no cost to the worker.