Field Workers (harvest) & Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Romaine Top & Tail: Heavy field work to harvest romaine lettuce in preparation for value added processing. Manual cutting is done by walking in uneven furrows behind a harvesting conveyor belt. Under the direction of the field Supervisors, the worker then determines the size and quality of the romaine lettuce to be harvested and using a harvesting knife, the employee bends at the waist, grasps produce and cuts the head from its roots. Employee then trims the outer leaves from the head and places head onto table. The process is repeated. The romaine is then topped and cored then carried down the belt where employees inspect quality, core, and remove loose leaves prior to being dropped in a bin where it is sorted to bin capacity. Bins are constructed and sorted directly on the trailer on a pallet. Bins may weigh up to 50 lbs. empty. Pallets may weigh up to 95 lbs. empty. Between two workers the empty pallets are carried, and bins are assembled.

Agricultural Equipment Operator: under the direction of the supervisor the driver is responsible for supplying the tractor trailer/machine/forklift with packaging materials needed for specific packs, covering the completed pallets with a plastic liner to protect the finished cartons from inclement weather, loading and unloading produce boxes, assist in preparing the harvest machine for immediate field operation, or movement to a new location. Directing tractor/machine/forklift through the field, pulling loaded trailers out. Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating tractor/machine. Required to have basic knowledge of driving a tractor/machine/forklift, must pass tractor/machine/forklift safety training and demonstrate ability to operate tractor/machine/forklift in a safe manner.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties such as cleaning up field before during and after harvest, picking up trash, discarding cartons and assisting as safety monitor when equipment is turning in the field to begin a new pass.

In the event that an employee is injured while on the job, the Company will provide a temporary work assignment that will be as closely related to the job duties described herein, while the employee recovers from a work-related illness which meets with physicians’ clearance to return to work under specific limitations. The work assignment will not be a permanent position, it will be temporary to accommodate the injured worker under doctor’s restrictions and time period that may differ from the heavy field work described within.

Special Requirements

See Addendum C