Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Potatoes

Work on production line to pack product by hand or with mechanized equipment, including but not limited to bagging machines, bin feeders, box machines, labeling machines, regular and high stacking forklifts. Pack/bunch/bundle product pursuant to supervisor instructions. Fill bins/trays and other containers with product, level bins, and prepare product for shipment to market or storage. Perform quality control on inbound/outbound loads. Follow quality control standards and production procedures. Handle product carefully to prevent damage. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Palletize and stack boxes/containers. Move product to storage areas and/or loading areas to prepare for shipping. Keep material and product records accurately. Use power equipment including, but not limited, to: fork lifts, conveyor belts, and cooling equipment/refrigeration units. Assist with regular maintenance on equipment.

Plant, cultivate, and harvest potatoes. Assist with field preparation and harvesting activities. Grade, sort, and field pack potatoes after harvest. Operate potato washing machine. Cut and prepare potato seed. Separate potatoes and remove stems. Repair, maintain, wash, and sanitize potato storage boxes and other storage contains. Clear fields by picking up missed potatoes. Lay irrigation pipe.

Inspect harvested potatoes on conveyor belt and/or roller table. Remove rotten or defective potatoes and remove debris and other foreign material. Keep all work areas clean by sweeping floors and sanitizing machinery and surface areas.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Must have sufficient hand and finger dexterity to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Must be able to differentiate colors, textures, and other attributes of product to distinguish varieties and identify defects.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience, preferably working on a potato farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. All new employees are subject to a post-hire, upon suspicion and/or post-accident, employer-paid drug test. Any employee who declines to take or fails this drug test will be terminated and paid for all hours worked, if any.