Field Workers

Job description

Leeks: Crops are harvested in the field. Employees walk along uneven furrows, bending and pulling leeks by the tops, cutting with a knife, removing excess dirt, selecting size and quality under the direction of the supervisor. The leeks are then tied together according to individual sizes. The bunched leeks are then placed on either a table or belt where they are trimmed and rinsed. Leeks are then placed into a carton or tote. Cartons or totes have specific count of bunches and or weight requirement.

Crop cleaning/weeding: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Under the direction of the field supervisor, field workers look for weeds around crops and in between product seed lines and use a long handled hoe to clean out unwanted product. The workers clean the lot for any unwanted leaves on the beds and seed lines and takes it out of the field as instructed by the field supervisor. Transplant: Field workers to perform the following duties: Field workers work on the transplanting machine platform and/or walk on uneven furrows behind a transplanting machine. As the machine moves, the workers working on the machine platform manually load trays of product into the transplanting machine to be inserted automatically by the machine into the soil. As the machine moves forward, under the direction of the field supervisor, the workers walk behind the machine on uneven furrows and have to carry trays of product. As field workers walk, they have to look for gaps not filled in by the transplanting machine. If there are gaps or product not transplanted correctly by the machine, the field worker has to manually grab the product from tray, the workers then bend at the waist and inserts (plants it) in the bed (on soil).

Crop thinning: Workers walk in uneven furrows. Under the direction of the field supervisor, field workers look for the specified gap between seeds, and using a long-handled hoe thins out any excess crop/seeds and/or weed on the seed line and leaves the desired product and gap on the field. The worker cleans the lot for any unwanted weed on the beds and seed lines and takes it out of the field as instructed by field supervisor.

Tractor/Machine/Forklift Driver: 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 bins, 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/forklift. 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. Machines have gross weight capacity under 26,001 lbs and do NOT require commercial drivers license to operate.

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.

If 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 physician’s 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

Minimum Job Qualifications:

Must have 3-month work experience with the produce as defined in this application including harvest work. Specific requirements include lifting to 50 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. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.

Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.