General Laborers

Job description

General laborers are required to perform the following duties on the farm:
1. Field Work: Workers will engage in cutting, washing, bagging, sealing, packing, and loading boxes, crates, or bins of the following produce: Organic & Conventional Green Beans
2. Tractor and Machine Operation: Workers will operate tractors and machines for harvesting. The tractors have a gross weight capacity under 26,000 lbs; therefore, a commercial driver’s license is not required.
3. Product Washing: Workers will wash products when they are on tables or conveyor belts after cutting.
4. Loading and Tying Products: Workers will load and tie products onto field trailers that are pulled by tractors.
5. Crew Leader Assistance: Workers may assist the Foreman/Crew Leader with production duties as a Crew Leader Helper.
All duties listed above are to be performed on the farm.
Overview
Green beans harvesting operations involve a series of tasks performed on the farm, utilizing various machinery and personnel to efficiently collect, sort, and transport green beans under varying weather conditions.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Harvesting Machine Operator
• Duties:
o Safely operate the harvesting machine throughout the workday.
o Maintain awareness of surroundings, identify safety hazards, and remain at control.
o Conduct a pre-inspection of the machine at the start of the shift.
o Report and document any mechanical problems immediately.
o Open and position the machine at the designated harvesting area.
o Prepare materials and bins required for the day.
o Ensure the availability and restocking of packaging materials as needed.
o Enter pack style information into the PTI machine and place trace-back stickers on bins.
o Walk the field to identify and relocate left-behind irrigation pipes.
o Lift pallets weighing up to 75 lbs as necessary.
2. Tractor Driver
• Duties:
o Safely operate the tractor, maintaining awareness of surroundings and identifying safety hazards.
o Conduct pre-inspections at the start of the shift or upon changing tractors.
o Report and document any mechanical issues immediately.
o Coordinate with the machine operator to provide trailers and handle packaging material.
o Ensure the completed bins are secured before transportation to the truck driver.
o Cover loads with plastic liners to protect the product from inclement weather if needed.
o Transport and replenish harvesters with bins and packaging materials.
o Assist with load transfers and move toilet/handwashing stations and water trailers if necessary.

3. Forklift Operator
• Duties:
o Offload empty bins from the trailer and load them onto the field trailer for harvesting operations.
o Guide the harvesting machine to the edge of the lot when bins are full.
o Offload full bins and replace them with empty bins to continue harvesting.
o Stack full bins three high on the field trailer and prepare for customer delivery.
o Install v-boards, tie-downs, and ropes to secure products on the trailer.
o Comply with safety protocols and maintain forklift maintenance documentation.
o Report any issues to the crew supervisor.
4. Pallet Jack Operator
• Duties:
o Transfer empty bins from the reefer trailer to the field trailer.
o Guide the harvesting machine to the edge of the lot when bins are full.
o Transfer full bins to the reefer trailer and replace them with empty bins.
o Stack and secure products on the reefer trailer for customer delivery.
o Install v-boards, tie-downs, and ropes to secure products on the reefer trailer.
o Comply with safety protocols and maintain pallet jack maintenance documentation.
o Report any issues to the crew supervisor.
5. Crew Leader Helper (Optional)
• Duties:
o Assist the Foreman/Crew Leader with production tasks as needed.

Special Requirements

Three months of experience in harvesting vegetables. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops for proper ripeness and maturity, no smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Ability to communicate in English or Spanish is required for training and safety purposes. Work is performed outdoors in open fields and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 50 degrees F to over 90 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described.