Farmworkers & Laborers, Crops

Job description

Fieldworker. Workers will walk along rows as specified by employer and remove weeds and grass from fields by hand or using a hoe. Prepare soil for planting, plant, transplant, cultivate and harvest crops. Plant and harvest broccoli, melons, sweet potatoes, peanuts, flue cured tobacco, mixed vegetables and grain crops. Load and unload crops and farm materials. May operate and perform minor maintenance and repairs on farm vehicles, implements and equipment, and perform irrigation duties. May repair fences, greenhouses and other farm buildings and structures, remove and discard debris. Perform farm, field and shed sanitation duties. Mow grass and operate trimmer around farm buildings. Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting. Operate farm vehicles to haul crops and drive other farmworkers from place to place around the farm properties (including on public roads to reach farmer’s fields) during the workday. May operate light truck, van, or bus off the farm and over the road to drive themselves or other farmworkers from place to place, such as to the grocery store, bank, government agencies, medical or dental offices and so forth. May operate truck with less than 13 tons GVWR to transport crops produced on the farm (in its unmanufactured state) to storage or to market or to a carrier for transportation to market. Though not a hiring requirement, if a worker drives a company vehicle during the period of employment then at the time of operating the company vehicle the driver must possess a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or foreign equivalent and operate the company vehicle in accordance with the license restrictions and vehicle classifications applicable to that license. All workers are required to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly important when touching crops for human consumption. Workers are required to cleanse their hands by washing thoroughly with soap and water before entering field for harvest activities and after each break. Smoking and the use of tobacco products prohibited during working time.

Mixed vegetables: Workers will bend and stoop to pick vegetables according to size, color, shape, and degree of maturity and place into field containers. Workers may cut developed produce from plant and place into bucket. Workers may carry full bucket containing vegetables and empty into field bin or load onto truck or trailer. May be required to pull and discard culls as directed by supervisor. Workers must take care not to bruise or scar produce. Worker will return to assigned row/area and repeat the process. Worker must pick plants clean of correct size and maturity. Produce may be graded and packed in the field. Produce must be washed thoroughly.

Hand-harvest melons. Workers will perform assigned duties as instructed by their supervisor. Following the supervisors instructions, workers will walk along rows and cut melons for harvest according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity by using a knife. May carry harvested melons to field truck and load melons on truck or trailer by hand. May unload and pack harvested melons at on-farm packing shed.

Special Requirements

Workers will be expected to perform any of the listed duties and work on any crop as assigned by the employer and/or workers supervisor. Prolonged walking, standing, bending, stooping, and reaching. Workers may be requested to submit to random drug or alcohol tests at no cost to the worker. Failure to comply with the request or testing positive may result in immediate termination. All testing will occur post-hire and is not a part of the interview process. Negative result may be required post-hire and before commencing work. Must be able to lift 75 lbs. to shoulder height repetitively throughout the workday and able to lift and carry 75 lbs. in field. Must not hinder another workers productivity. Use of personal cell phone or other personal electronic device during working hours strictly prohibited except for work-related calls or emergencies and violation may result in immediate termination. Requires one month verifiable prior farmworker experience