Field Workers

Job description

Field Worker (Strawberries/blackberries)
Duties vary depending on the growing season:

Ground Harvest

Harvest:
• Using sharp picking knives, standing, and kneeling on ground to pick fruit.
• Continual visual examination of product to determine if product is right for harvesting.
• Use hands and arms to handle product.
• Place commodity into appropriate packing box.
• Place completed packed product onto moving equipment such as conveyors.
• Mark cartons by using marking tools.
• Examine and inspect containers, packaging material, and product to ensure that packing specifications are met.
• Harvest product by hand, and/or using a harvest knife.
• Continual bending to reach product.
• Walk throughout shift on uneven ground and in leafy rows with debris.
• Direct and monitor the work of other farm workers by ensuring that all food safety policies are followed and that all safety procedures are followed to reduce the risk of any type of injury to either the employee or others.
• Wedding; remove any overgrown weeds

Harvest/Packer:
Under the general supervision of the Harvest Foreperson, the worker effectively cuts or picks product of the correct quality, size, and weight for the correct packs. Effectively pack or package by hand a wide variety of produce in the correct packs. All packing duties will be completed in the field and on the farm.

Tractor Driver:
Tractor drivers will drive and control tractors in fields. Tractors have a capacity of under 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Commercial drivers' license not required to drive tractors. Tractor Driver: Tractor drivers will drive and control tractors and forklifts in fields, at loading areas and crush pad

Irrigation: Irrigate crops, using sprinklers, drip tape, main line, row water, and other necessary means. Employees will work under the general supervision of the Ranch Foreperson.

• Repair and maintain drip tape and irrigation pipe.
• Set up pipes and irrigate using row water and main line.
• Shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment, or cut trenches in high areas to direct water or drain water.
• Check area to detect leaks, breaks, weak areas or obstructions in irrigation system.
• Clear and maintain irrigation ditches.
• May help with other ranch projects.
• Reports all safety problems, incidents, and injuries to Ranch Foreperson immediately.
• Comply with all Company policies, including observing appropriate lunch and rest periods, and wearing personal protective equipment.
• Other activities as directed by the employer, from time to time.

Transplanting

Effectively aid in the transplanting of fields. Employee will work under the general supervision of the Harvest Foreperson.

• Continual visual examination of transplants to determine if plants are healthy for transplanting.
• Use hands and arms to handle transplants and transplant trays.
• Remove transplants from trays and place into transplanting receptacles.
• Hand transplant bare root plants by placing plants in pre-punched holes in the ground.
• Sit and at times stand on transplanting machine or walk throughout shift on uneven ground.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties. Such work will be temporary and unsubstantial agricultural labor.

Special Requirements

3 months of work experience with strawberry/ blackberries harvesting is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being 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.