Field Laborer/harvester

Job description

*All packing duties will be performed in the field and on the farm

Field Worker

Workers will receive specific instructions on required tasks and results expected. Work will be closely monitored by Field Supervisors, Foreperson and/or Customers.

Daily work and crew assignments are made by and at the discretion of the Supervisor(s) based on Company need and/or production demand. Workers may be permanently or temporarily moved or assigned to another crew and/or positions within a crew as needed to complete the production demand, worker relief, assistance, or other justified reason.

Workers must perform the assigned work, and work at the assigned field site, and may not switch assignments without the specific authorization of a company supervisor.

Workers are expected to complete the assigned tasks in a professional and efficient manner while keeping up with the pace of the crew. Workers must be willing, able, qualified and available to complete the assigned job duties, and may be tailored with reasonable modifications if needed. Crew and position changes may not be changed without Foreman/Supervisor consent and/or reasonable cause.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with the primary duties. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor. Workers are expected to follow all safety and food safety practices and guidelines to ensure the highest quality product is harvested while protecting food safety and the safety of all crewmembers.

ROMAINE

Cutting is done by walking in uneven furrows in front of the harvesting platform machine. Workers determine size and quality of the product to be harvested. Then, using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the worker cuts the lettuce at the roots and trims excess, damaged, or quality compromising leaves, further examining for any defect prior to being placed on the packing table.

The packer further examines the product for any defect prior to either or combination of; spot wash, apply a clip, sort, bag, seal and pack and place in a pack style or carton. Selects the correct box for the pack style required and marks the carton with a colored crayon of the crew designation, used to indicate the pack style, and the personal packer identification number. The finished product is then inspected and placed per specification into the carton up to the correct count, closes the carton and then pushes the carton onto a conveyor that transports the carton to box maker. Bagging, sealing, filling the tote, and packing may involve multiple pack styles at once.

*Packing is done in the field on the farm using a harvester platform designed for packing. Loading duties, trailer, packing table and conveyor are all completed or located in the fields/on the farm or on the harvester machine.

Special Requirements

Minimum Job Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of three (3) months of vegetable harvesting experience to be considered for this work.
Specific requirements include lifting up to 75 pounds frequently and ability 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, ice, cold, high winds, etc. This highly physical work involves frequent and repetitive pushing and pulling horizontally, lifting and lowering, working in bent, kneeling or in stooped positions. Must be able to walk, stand up, and climb ladders and stairs extensively. Smoking (includes electronic cigarettes), alcohol, or firearms in field and/or employer-provided housing is not permitted.