Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
lemons, limes.
Plant, cultivate, and hand harvest citrus crops. Walk rows/aisles in grove, carry ladder to/from field truck, and position ladder against tree within reach of fruit. Climb up and down ladder with picking sack to harvest. Remove fruit from tree and place into picking sack. Must take care to avoid breaking limbs, knocking off fruit, damaging tree, or slipping/falling from ladder. Move full picking sacks to box/tub located in grove. Fully-loaded picking sack may weigh up to 100 pounds depending on size, condition and variety of fruit. Bruised or damaged fruit will be noted by supervisors during quality control checks. Supervisors may issue written disciplinary notice to workers with a significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit. Repeated failure to follow quality control instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. May perform miscellaneous grove clean-up duties when harvest work not available (or when workers placed on light duty after injury). Clean-up activities include sprouting, pruning, debris removal, weeding or vine removal, irrigation maintenance or repair, or other related tasks. Worker should be aware of and avoid thorns.

Workers must be able to perform the job and its requirements as defined in this clearance order after a reasonable period of on the job training. We consider 7 to 10 days from the worker's initial date of employment as a reasonable period of on the job training. The production standard includes keeping up with the pace of the harvest crew in performing the required job duties and at the time the work is performed. The average picking rate of a worker may vary throughout the season based on weather, fruit/ vegetable quantity, size and variety and other factors. The employer has determined to the best of its ability the following minimum production standard: 2 bins per day at the start of the season, increasing to 3-3.5 bins per day after two weeks. Bin measurement is 48” x 48” x 24”.

Workers may operate farm machinery, equipment and vehicles. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the equipment before driving the equipment. Workers will be expected to be able to operate equipment, with or without direction, in a manner that protects the operator, visitors, other employees, crops, facilities and equipment. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

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. Repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. 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, honey bees, 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.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience handling tasks associated with production of grapefruit, lemons, minneolas and/or oranges. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs.