Field Workers

Job description

Seasonal Harvester (Romaine lettuce, Spring Mix Lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, Green Cabbage, Celery):

Cut or pack lettuce, cabbage and celery of the correct quality, size and weight for the correct packs in the field on the farm. Pack or package by hand a wide variety of produce in the correct packs in the field on the farm. This is a non-managerial position and works under the general supervision of the Harvest foreperson.

Job Duties:
• Continual vision examination of produce to determine if product is right for harvesting.
• Use hands and arms to handle the product.
• Place commodity into appropriate packing box in the field on the farm.
• Place completed packed product onto moving equipment such as conveyors in the field on the farm.
• Mark cartons by using marking tools.
• Examine and inspect containers, packaging material and product to ensure that packing specifications are met in the field on the farm.
• Harvest product by hand, and/or using a harvest knife.
• Continual bending to reach product.
• Walk throughout shift on uneven ground and in leafy rows with debris.
• Ensure that all Food Safety policies are followed.
• Ensure that all safety procedures are followed to reduce the risk of any type of injury to either the employee or others.
• Reports all safety problems, incidents and injuries to harvest foreperson immediately.
• Comply with all Company policies.

Mechanical Vegetable Harvest

Mechanical vegetable harvest workers work as members of a harvest crew.
• Under the direction of the supervisors or foreperson, a General Labor field worker walks in uneven furrows in front of the machine cleaning out beds to ensure quality of product.
• Workers stand on top of a machine and / or trailers and sort machine-harvested product for quality and debris as it falls into totes, bins, cartons, or large field trailers. Other workers may ride on trailer next to harvest machine assembling totes, bins or cartons.
• Tractor drivers and machine operators run equipment such as tractors, harvest machinery and forklifts. Other workers may receive full totes, bins, or cartons from harvest machine and stack and secure on pallets of finished product.
• Workers may stand on the platforms of trailers or harvest machines and fill up totes, cartons, or bins with harvested product. Product may be moved to a trailer and stacked before being transported out the field. Product may be sorted or graded for quality or size in field or at nearby shed before completing the harvest process. Process is repeated.

Machine Operator

The Machine Operator is responsible for the safe and proper operation of the company’s harvesting machines in the field, including, daily maintenance inspections, basic adjustments, and reporting maintenance and mechanical issues to their supervisor.
Essential Duties for the Machine Operator include, but are not limited to the following:
• Always follow Foreperson and Supervisor’s instructions, and arrive to work on time
• Thoroughly inspect the machine on all points required by the company and be ready for the harvest crew when they arrive
• Start-up, operate, and shut-down the machine per company guidelines
• Listen to the machine operation and be aware of audio indications of mechanical problems
• Report possible mechanical issues to the foreperson or supervisor immediately
• Report unsafe or damaged equipment to the foreperson or supervisor immediately
• Always be aware of the people working on the machine and on the ground to avoid accidents
• Move equipment safely and carefully when entering and exiting the field
• Perform duties in accordance with the company’s established safety standards
• Communicate with harvest supervisors and co-workers respectfully and professionally
• Participate in safety trainings, orientations and all other company meetings as required

Special Requirements

Minimum of 3 months of harvest experience and/or minimum of 3 months of experience as a farm machine operator in the field is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives.

Field Sanitation Worker Specific Qualifications/Requirements:
Ability to:
o walk on uneven ground in field conditions.
o lift up to 50 pounds, bend, stretch, and raise arms while handling cleaning equipment.
o climb up and down from machines using cleaning equipment, while wearing PPE
o safely and correctly operate sanitation equipment and related tools.
o safely handle chemicals per the companys specifications.
o work as a team with all co-workers.