Avocado Harvesters

Job description

Duties related to harvesting avocados, including picking avocados, carrying picking bags to bins, climbing ladders and picking fruit from the avocado trees. Place the avocados in a bag and then bringing the bag to a bin and unloading the avocados into the bin. Tools include using avocado clippers, 28-40 ft ladders, 9-12 ft picking poles, chain saws, wood chipper, shovels, and tractor. Must be able to lift 80 pounds, maneuver up and down ladder with picking bag. Must be able to average 180 lbs. per hour, 1.5 bins per day (individual) at a minimum.

Workers will also plant new avocado trees and perform avocado grove and tree maintenance, including mulching and pruning. Workers will also perform irrigation-related duties, including running irrigation and irrigation repair.
Must use personal protective equipment required by employer and follow all safety protocols. Workers cannot be afraid of heights. Work is performed outdoors and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold, and other elements of the normal outdoor environment. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees F to over 100 degrees F. Exposure to plant pollen, insects, and noxious plants may occur. Must come prepared with appropriate clothes and foot wear for the work and working conditions described.

Employees will work under close supervision of supervisors and receive specific instructions on required tasks and results expected. Employees perform routine tasks that require a limited exercise of judgment to eventually build harvesting skills and efficiencies. On-the-job training is provided as specified below.

Expected to assist in keeping work areas and company property clean by not littering.

Special Requirements

No experience harvesting avocado is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 60-80 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Must be able to use hand clippers and work on high ladders on hillsides. Must be able to carry ladders and cannot be afraid of heights. 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. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.