Blueberry Harvesting

Job description

The worker will perform job duties as assigned by supervisor. They will vary from time to time depending on crop ripening and weather. The blueberry season is temporary and will last from March to June.

In order to perform this kind of work, the worker must be able to work outside 6 hours a day in all kinds of weather including, but not limited to extreme cold and hot conditions, direct sunlight, and rain and have the required physical strength and endurance to perform the work rapidly and skillfully with their hands. Workers will perform prolonged walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying 0-50 lbs. The worker will be given specific instructions as to how to properly perform the work specified in the Job Description and Requirements Section on the first day of work. Quality work must be performed and adhered to, and no messy work will be permitted. If the worker does not perform the work as specified under the Job Descriptions and Requirements, he/she may be terminated.

The employer will provide the tools necessary to perform the described job duties without charge to the worker. The employer will charge the worker for reasonable costs related to the workers refusal or negligent failure to return the tools or due to such workers willful damage or destruction of the tools.

Blueberry Hand Harvesting-The worker will pick the ripe blueberries off the bush by grasping the blueberries between their forefinger and thumbnail, then lightly pulling and gently twisting the fruit off the bush and letting the berries roll into the palm of the hand. The berries will then be placed in a container being careful not to overfill the container or pack the berries. The blueberries should be handled with care to prevent bruising. The container will be taken to the nearest trailer where it will be placed. The worker will then get a new container and start the process again.

A properly licensed worker will be required to transport workers to and from work each day. A properly trained worker will assist in operating various farm equipment to assist with harvest, and hauling of crop to the cooler and weigh station. A qualified worker may be requested to be a working team leader.

Equipment and Vehicle Operation-The workers may need to drive and/or operate various agricultural farm equipment and vehicles to perform the work on the farm such as but not limited to, field trucks, tractors, All terrain vehicles, refrigerated trucks, and forklifts. The workers must use safety and precaution when using agricultural farm equipment and vehicles. All passengers must be seated and practice safety and precaution. The passengers must wait to exit the agricultural farm equipment and vehicles when the driver comes to a complete stop and gets off the vehicle. The workers will keep the agricultural farm equipment and vehicles free of trash.

Sanitary Requirements-All workers are required to practice common sanitary requirements at all times for food and general personal safety purposes. This is particularly critical when harvesting crops by hand for human consumption. Employees should clean their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities or the packing facility for packing operations.

Special Requirements

The worker must be responsible and consistent on the job. The worker must be able to lift 0-50 lbs., do repetitive movements, extensive pushing and pulling, walking, frequent stooping continuously throughout the day, and work in all kinds of weather conditions.