Strawberry Pickers

Job description

JSM Organics, Inc. is a fixed-site grower which owns and/or controls its work site and all agricultural commodities produced at such site. JSM Organics, Inc. is not a Farm Labor Contractor.

The Employer seeks certification for 10 H-2A workers and 35 total workers. Of these 35 total workers, 25 of them are U.S. domestic workers who we anticipate will not require housing.

Strawberry Pickers will perform the following duties:
Strawberries: Work with strawberries; perform strawberry planting/replanting, stripping, road, flower and runner cutting, vine trellising, hoop plastic installation/tear down, sucker removal, cane removal, and removal of old strawberry vines.

Workers will also perform duties associated with and directly related to strawberry harvest work, including but not limited to picking and packing strawberries in the field for fresh market, cannery, and freezing/juicing. Other duties include distinguishing the quality and ripeness of strawberries, pick and place berries in tray/ packing containers in the field. Pickers will work on a berry picker machine to perform harvest duties. Working in rows, the worker bends over and picks berries with hands, places the berries in a box and stacks the full boxes of berries on the machine floor; the top of the machine carries the empty boxes; with the aid of the berry picker machine, the worker does not need to carry the full boxes to stack them at the end of the row. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively and use employer-provided hand tools, including knives.

Special Requirements

Workers will be trained for at least 7 days in strawberry picking; one month previous experience working with strawberries (organic or non-organic) is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and 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. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing. The employer reserves the right to conduct employer-paid drug testing after hire under the following circumstances: post-accident and/or upon reasonable suspicion.