Field Laborer

Job description

Commodities of transplanted product: Red Cabbage, Green Cabbage, Romaine/Romaine Hearts, Celery/Organic Celery, Cauliflower/Organic Cauliflower, Broccoli/Organic Broccoli. Transplanting job duties: Feeding plants into the transplanting machines. Employees will be stationed (sitting) on a transplanting machine which is attached to the back of a tractor; employee must remove plants from a seedling tray and place them in cups which are moving (rotating) in front of their station. Stations are close together and employees sit on a bench together while working in proximity with one another. Employees must be able to sort plants by size and quality to be sure poor-quality plants are not transplanted.

Seedling trays must be taken out of large transport bins which are on a flatbed trailer. Trays must be transported to the tractor by hand to be placed on racks used to store the trays as the tractor is moving through the field. Employee may be required to climb up and stand on the trailer approximately 28 inches high to unload the trays from the bins. Trays weigh between 8-13 pounds and are 9 inches wide by 26 inches long. Employee must be able to carry one tray in each hand to be placed on the tractor. Alternatively, there may be a line formed between the trailer and the tractor where employees throw the trays from one to another to fill the tractor racks. Employee must be able to throw and catch trays from their adjacent employee.

As the plants are used from the trays the empty trays must then be stacked together to be loaded back into the trailer. Empty trays weigh 3-5 pounds and are carried 5-10 at a time.

When not on the machine feeding plants into the cups, employees are required to walk behind the machine to monitor and improve quality. Employee must straighten up and properly set any plant that is not properly planted by the machine. Employee must fill in any plants that are missing in the row. Employee carries extra plants in a basket attached with a belt, he/she uses a small shovel to set new plants in or adjust plants that were planted with the machine. Plants are planted on raised beds which makes the surface uneven, additionally there may be clods or debris in the field making the ground uneven. Bending and stooping while walking is necessary to complete the task. Employees rotate between feeding the cups, walking behind the machine and supplying trays to the feeding stations. Employees climb on and off the machine at the end of each row.

Special Requirements

1 month of experience in transplanting any of the commodities listed. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50-65 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.