Tomato Pickers

Job description

Valdivia Farms Inc. (also referred to herein as Valdivia Farms “Employer” or “Company”) is a fixed-site grower which owns and controls its work sites and all agricultural commodities produced at such sites.

Valdivia is not a Farm Labor Contractor as defined under The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) or the H-2A regulations and is thus not held to the registration requirements or surety bond requirements.

Address: 3902 Linmar Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (North San Diego County)
Telephone: 760-801-0018

Job title: Tomato Pickers
Workers Needed:
a. Total: 65
b. H-2A: 30
The Employer seeks certification for 30 workers. The total number of workers is 65. From the estimated number of workers, 35 will be domestic and won`t require housing. These numbers are estimates as total workforce needs are dependent upon weather, crop conditions, and worker availability.

Field Workers (Tomatoes) - Tomato Picker to perform the following job duties:

Prepare soil for planting vine 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, 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.

Occasional or intermittent hand weeding in a stooped, squatting, or kneeling position is incidental to the non-hand weeding operation and constitutes 20 percent or less of the workers` weekly labor time. Employer will abide by California Code Regulations at Title 8, Section 3456.

In connection with field work, may operate equipment such as tractors to plant, harvest, and cultivate. May also perform packing duties in the field and on the farm. 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.

Special Requirements

3 months of work experience packing round vine tomatoes. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Must be able to use shears and other agricultural tools, stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing 60 pounds in the course of performing required activities. No smoking or illegal weapons or controlled substances in the fields or in the houses.

Workers must abide by Employer housing rules. Ability to understand and communicate in English or Spanish is required for training and safety purposes. (i.e., Workers must listen to, understand, and follow instructions of Employer supervisors and managers.)