Field Workers (strawberries/blueberries), Drivers

Job description

Field Worker (Stawberries and Blueberries):
Duties vary depending on the growing season:
Strawberries, Strawberry Ground Harvest
Blueberry Pruning, Harvest and trellis work
Macro Tunnel install, repair and removal. (Macro tunnels are structures that protect berries)

Harvest:
Using sharp picking knives, standing, and kneeling on ground to pick fruit.
• Continual visual examination of product to determine if product is right for harvesting.
• Use hands and arms to handle product.
• Place commodity into appropriate packing box.
• Place completed packed product onto moving equipment such as conveyors.
• Mark cartons by using marking tools.
• Examine and inspect containers, packaging material, and product to ensure that packing specifications are met.
• Harvest product by hand, and/or using a harvest knife.
• Continual bending to reach product.
• Walk throughout shift on uneven ground and in leafy rows with debris.
• Direct and monitor the work of other farmworkers by ensuring that all food safety policies are followed and that all safety procedures are followed to reduce the risk of any type of injury to either the employee or others.
• Reports all safety problems, incidents, and injuries to Harvest Foreperson immediately.
• Comply with all Company Policies.
• Other activities as directed by the employer, from time to time.

Harvest/Packer:
Under the general supervision of the Harvest Foreperson, the worker effectively cuts or picks product of the correct quality, size, and weight for the correct packs. Effectively pack or package by hand a wide variety of produce in the correct packs.
All packing duties will be completed in the field and on the farm.

“CalVans and Suburban Driver:

1. Driver may drive over the road in passenger vans.
Driver will drive designated vans or Suburban to transport harvest crew workers to and from
housing and worksite locations. Driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform
harvesting job duties when not driving.
3. Driver will be responsible for filling van with fuel and keeping vehicle clean.
4. Driver will be required to complete and process periodic driving reports as required by state
laws.
5. Driver will be required to follow all traffic laws and if applicable, vanpool rules.
6. In order to drive, drivers must possess a valid authorized driver’s license and must be able to
pass DOT (Department of Transportation) recognized medical exam and fulfill all other DOT
requirements.
7. CalVans performs the medical exam at no cost to the employee or employer. The employer will
be responsible for the cost of the registration as an FLCE driver (if any).
Drivers are compensated for these activities.
All employees engaged in driving activities (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers),
will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (DL or
CDL) on a voluntary basis. The DL/CDL is not a pre-hire job requirement. No job applicant will
be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL/CDL or FLCE Certificate at the time
of application and/or hiring. Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will
be terminated for failure to obtain a DL/CDL or FLCE certificate.

Special Requirements

Minimum Job Qualifications:

3 months of experience working with strawberries in the field is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being 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 frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.