Farmworker: Vegetables 45-2092.00

Job description

Crops: Pumpkins, Gourds, Winter Squash and Field Corn
Pumpkins: At harvest, workers will be expected to select the pumpkins based on the standard disclosed to the worker by the supervisor. Workers will walk along rows and cut melons according to size, color, shape, and degree of maturity using a knife. Workers will set up wagons for picking with large bins. Workers will lift baskets of small pumpkins and gourds to fill bins. May carry to trailer or windrow for loading at a later time. Also, the workers will be expected to wash, grade, sort, and place in boxes and shipping containers. After harvest is completed, workers will be required to remove mature pumpkin vines from the plastic as well as preparing the plastic for the next planting cycle, if applicable. May also be required to remove old or damaged plastic and irrigation drip tape along with any other trash, rocks, or debris from the planting areas. Workers will assist in preparation of field areas prior to installation of new plastic and drip tape.

Gourds and Winter Squash- Workers will plant cultivate and harvest vegetables. Workers will bend and stoop to pick vegetables according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity and place into field containers. Workers may carry full container weighing approximately forty (40) lbs. and empty into field bin or load onto trailer. May be required to pull and discard culls as directed by supervisor. Pickers will take care not to bruise or scar produce. Pre-harvest activities may include transplanting, hoeing, hand weeding, stringing, and staking installing and removing drip irrigation and plastic, hand seeding, and general ship care up to and after harvest. Workers will stand on feet for long periods of time. Workers are required to work in fields when plants are wet with dew or rain. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from forty (40) to over one hundred (100) degrees.

Corn: Workers will plant cultivate and harvest corn.. This includes removing grass by hand or with a hoe. Load and unload trucks at the bins.

Fencing: Workers may required to repair deer fencing.

Tractor/Trucks Operation During Field Operations: Workers may be required to operate tractors or forklifts, or other farm equipment during field operations as an incidental activity in the production of crops. Before any worker is required to operate any farm equipment, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation of tractor. Workers will be required to operate tractors according to instructions and in a manner, that protects the operator, other workers, trees, crops, and equipment. Workers may perform routine maintenance. Repeated failure to obey operating and safety instructions may result in termination. Properly licensed and trained workers may be required to operate trucks and other vehicles both on the farm and on public streets.

Farm, Field, and Shed Sanitation: All workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors and other farm, and shed sanitation duties. The farm owner/supervisor or a designated employee will provide specific instructions and close supervision. Workers will be expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner and will have close supervision to insure adherence to instruction. Work will be closely monitored and reviewed for quality.

Special Requirements

Must have three months experience hand harvesting a perishable crop on a commercial farm. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.