Greenhouse, Packhouse & Harvest Workers (tomatoes, Cucumbers

Job description

H-2A and corresponding domestic workers must be available to perform each of the following job activities in connection with the harvesting and farming operations:

Greenhouse, Packhouse and Harvest Workers (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers), General Labor, Forklift Operator, Tractor Driver, General Farm Labor / General Ranch Maintenance. All work is performed indoors in a hi-tech greenhouse setting.

Greenhouse work: Deleaf agricultural crops to accelerate ripening; Greenhouse cleaning; Hand harvesting vegetables; Tie and secure plants; Clean work area; Plant, cultivate and irrigate crops.

Workers will perform various tasks to ensure optimal plant growth and harvest according to company standards and food safety practices. Pick, clip, lower, prune, apply truss supports, deleaf, remove shoots. Examine plants for signs of disease or pests and report problems to supervisor. Maintain assigned equipment (carts, shears, scissors, knives, etc.) and immediate work area clean. Perform other duties as assigned. Prepare freshly harvested crops for shipment in their original, unmanufactured state. In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the particular requirements of the company.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the essential functions, this position may be required to stand on a moving hydraulic picking cart which may raise up to 6 feet in height, use sharp objects such as picking scissors, pruning shears, de-leafing knives, etc. Exposure to bees, sun and temperatures which may reach levels of 95+ degrees during the summer months.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Frequency Key: Rare – up to 1 hour; Occasional – 1-3 hours; Frequent – 3-6 hours; Constant – 6-8 hours

Physical Activity - Frequency
Sitting - Rare
Walking,Standing - Constant
Bending/Stooping - Frequent
Climbing Stairs/ladder - Occassional to Frequent depending on task
Crouching/Kneeling - Occasional
Reaching - Constant
Grasping - Constant
Pushing/Pulling - Frequent to Constant depending on task
Near Vision - Constant
Far Vision - Ocassional
Color Vision - Occasional to Constant depending on task
Hearing - Frequent
Talking - Occasional
Smell - Occasional
Lifting/Carrying - Ocassional to Frequent up to 25 pounds depending on task
Travel - Rare

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required when performing work duties that may have the potential of risk to health or safety. The Company will provide the required PPE. Employees will be trained in the proper use and care of any assigned PPE. It is the worker’s responsibility to report defective, damaged or lost PPE, or equipment that does not fit properly to the Supervisor.

Packhouse work:weighing, sorting, packaging produce; sanitation according to food handling guidelines.

Workers are responsible for performing various functions involved in the packaging of product according to customer specifications and Food Safety Guidelines as instructed by supervisor. Pack, sort, and weigh tomatoes ensuring weight and quality requirements are met. Operate trolley that moves freshly harvested product to the packshouse. Assemble plastic hand fold crates, line boxes/crates with foam padding or plastic inserts. Prepare freshly harvested crops for shipment in their original, unmanufactured state. Monitor labeling machine for efficiency and load label reels as needed. Report quality, food safety, technical issues and/or safety hazards immediately to supervisor. Clean work area using cleaning solutions and hand tools.

Special Requirements

Requirements: 2-months experience with crop work/greenhouse is required. Written verification of experience is required.Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of the product. Must be able to use shears, clippers and other agricultural tools(i.e., hand saw (can be powered by gas)); no smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Worker safety on the job and in employer-provided housing is our top priority. Workers may not possess, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or other controlled substances at the worksite or in the employer-provided housing. Fighting, including but not limited to, verbal, physical, or through social media or texts, and any threats or act of violence, and/or disruptive behavior against another individual or against property will not be tolerated, particularly acts of violence committed while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.