Farmworker, Potatoes

Job description

Plant, cultivate, and harvest potatoes. Assist with field preparation and harvesting activities, including picking rocks. Weed fields by hand or with a hoe. Grade, sort, and field pack potatoes after harvest. Operate potato washing machine, ride on potato harvester. Cut and prepare potato seed. Separate potatoes and remove stems. Repair, maintain, wash, and sanitize potato storage boxes and other storage contains. Clear fields by picking up missed potatoes.

Inspect harvested potatoes on conveyor belt and/or roller table. Remove rotten or defective potatoes and remove debris and other foreign material. Keep all work areas clean by sweeping floors and sanitizing machinery and surface areas.

May assist licensed applicants in applying pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate, and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products, and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping, and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs including potato storage areas.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honeybees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may be asked to drive other workers. Transportation will be in direct conjunction with the farming operation, in vehicles owned and insured by the employer, and may include between worksites and housing, to grocery stores, financial institutions or places of worship.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors. Unusual, complex, or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with the production of potatoes. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Additional hours may be offered during peak season periods, including weekends. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Perform prolonged walking, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Workers with clean driving record and/or insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.