Field/shed Support Workers

Job description

Field Workers (Roma and Round Tomatoes) and Shed Support Workers to perform the following duties:

Prepare soil for planting vine tomatoes (Roma and Round tomatoes), including use of shovels or long-handled hoes and cutting plastic to prepare ground; stake (staking requires frequently lifting tool that weighs 12-18 pounds to drive stake into the ground), nursery work (sow and care for seedlings plants, cleaning trays, rotating trays, moving material for seedlings), plant, prune (using pruning shears), top and defoliate plants; weed using a long-handled hoe and hands if close to the plant, and will only perform hand weeding in compliance with 8 Cal.Code Regulations Section 3437, 3456(b-c), tie tomato vines to stakes using twine, and pick tomatoes (bend or reach to pick tomatoes from vines and place cartons that weigh up to 50 pounds), assist with irrigation, recover field equipment, such as plastic coverings and stakes. In connection with field work, may operate equipment such as tractors to plant, harvest, cultivate and crop protection handlers. Crop protection handlers is defined as those who spray, apply, and mix crop protection materials and require training and a medical exam for use of respirators. Crop protection handlers will receive additional safety training on handling of crop protection materials and will require a medical clearance specific to the use of respirators.  Workers will work under close supervision and are given specific task instructions while performing routine field work activities as defined above. Workers will exercise limited discretion and work activities are closely monitored by field supervisors and foreman. Workers may perform other minor work incidental to the primary job duties which will be agricultural in nature and insubstantial compared to the time spent on the primary job duties.

Shed Support Worker: Shed activities include moving the packed tomato boxes or pallets from the packing shed production area to the cooler rooms, separated by color, grade and size, stacking tomato cartons, separated by color, grade and size; cleaning all shed equipment needed for tomato packing, assemble and discarding cartons and other materials needed for tomato packing, supply tomato packers and fillers with packing materials, create and label tomato cartons, tying tomato cartons, move agricultural product to packer and filler, dumping tomatoes in water tank, pick up tomatoes that have fallen on the floor to maintain safe working area, may operate equipment to assist in packing shed operations and assisting as safety monitor when equipment is operating.

Foreman’s Assistant (this position is not the same as a First Line Supervisor: Foreman or Supervisor): The foreman's assistant ensures that the workers are doing their exercises, washing their hands and carrying out their work. Assists the foreman or supervisor with day to day field activities. Directs and monitors other workers during planting and harvest, including filling out documentation for Food Safety, Production and Quality Control. Over the course of the day does quality control reviews and constantly checks that the workers are using farm equipment safely and properly and reports unsafe conduct to Supervisors. Spot checks the plants and vine tomatoes (Roma and Round tomatoes), so people do not damage the plants or vine tomatoes (Roma and Round tomatoes), during the non-harvest and harvest activities. In general, works under the supervisor or foreman but has no supervisory or personnel authority such as hiring, firing, or personnel review.

Special Requirements

2 months work experience in farm work with tomatoes in fields (within the last two years). Experience includes non-harvest activities, specifically planting, staking, pruning, topping, and defoliating plants. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops, able to use shears and other agricultural tools, no smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the dormitories or work fields. Ability to communicate in English or Spanish is required for training and safety purposes.
Experience to be confirmed though written employment verification letters on company letterhead or by the provision of the name and address or telephone number of the reference who can verify the workers experience. The assistance of the referring office in helping the worker provide this information will be appreciated.