Field Workers And Ag Equipment Operators

Job description

Field Workers (Green Leaf and Romaine for process, Head Lettuce, Romaine Hearts and Mix Leaf Carton, Multileaf/Tender Leaf), Agricultural Equipment Operators

Heavy labor field work to harvest Green Leaf and Romaine for process; under the direction of the field Supervisors, employees determine size and quality of the product to be harvested. Then, using a harvesting knife and bending at the waist, the employee grasps the produce, cuts the head from the roots and places upside down on a cone carousel which carries the product thru an automated trimming. If trimming is not to specification, employee will take product, place it on a cutting table and using a harvest knife will cut to specification. Product is trimmed by machine or hand. The loader is responsible for placing empty tote pallets on the deck on the machine. Empty bin pallets can weigh up to 95 lbs. The loader grabs the empty totes and places them on the rack above the conveyer belt where the product is being processed. Once the totes are filled with product, they are pushed onto a tote holder at the edge of the platform. The totes are lifted and then stacked onto the pallet on the deck of the harvester or trailer. The process is repeated.

Heavy field work to harvest romaine, heart, mix leaf, and head lettuce. Employees cut, bag, pack, and load fresh romaine, head, and heart lettuce in the field. Cutting is done by walking in uneven furrows behind a harvesting platform machine or belt. Under the direction of the field Supervisors, employees determine size and quality of the product to be harvested. Then, using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the employee grasps the produce, cuts the head from the roots, and trims the outer leaves from the head to prepare it to be placed into a carton or tote. Cutter places the product on a table for the packer to either or combination of, tie, spot wash, sort, wrap, seal and place into a carton or tote. Packers will secure empty containers from designated racks, insert lining material as necessary and fill the carton or totes to specification. Once totes, cartons or bins are filled they are pushed on to conveyor belt for loaders to close/cover and stack on the pallet. The cartons or totes for the product are constructed by unfolding and bending the material as designed to form a box. Carton is labeled and marked as required. The process is repeated. The cartons, totes or bins are lifted then stacked onto pallets on the deck of the harvester or trailer. Cartons or totes with product can weigh up to 50 lbs. Empty bins Pallets can weigh up to 95 lbs. Between two workers the empty pallets are carried and bins are assembled.

Heavy field work to harvest Tender leaf: Employees’ spot check, sort, stack, fill and load tender leaf in the field. Spotting is done by walking in uneven furrows in front of a harvesting platform machine or belt. Under the direction of the field supervisor employees check for any foreign material such as trash and move irrigation pipes from one furrow to another. The harvest machine or belt then cuts produce and transports it through a conveyor where employees sort and fill totes and or bins. Once totes, cartons or bins are filled they are pushed on to conveyor belt for loaders to close/cover and stack on the pallet. The cartons or totes for the product are constructed by unfolding and bending the material as designed to form a box. Carton is labeled and marked as required. The process is repeated. The cartons, totes or bins are lifted then stacked onto pallets on the deck of the harvester or trailer. Cartons or totes with product can weigh up to 50 lbs. Empty bins Pallets can weigh up to 95 lbs. The cooler will provide the empty pallets already set up on trailer to the field or between two workers the empty pallets are carried, and bins are assembled.

Special Requirements

Must have 1-month work experience with the produce as defined in this application including harvest work. Specific requirements include lifting to 50 pounds frequently and 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 bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk on uneven ground and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in field or housing.