Field Worker: Artichoke Harvest

Job description

All work is performed in the field on the farm.

Field Worker: Artichoke Harvesters to perform the following duties:

Artichoke Harvester will walk, select artichokes for picking according to size, ripeness, quality standards and discard rotting and over-ripened artichokes, cut artichoke stem with a small knife, place artichoke in a bag that the worker carries on their back, carry the bag to the end of the row to be placed on a trailer or harvest machine in the field on the farm. The Artichoke Harvester is responsible for cutting the stem according to company standards; responsible for meeting all quality, sanitation, and Food Safety standards for the company; will perform other duties related to field harvesting as required.

Artichoke Dumper will help harvest artichokes until packing begins in the field on the farm. Once packing begins, the Bag Dumper will take baskets from a trailer or the pickers back and transfers them to the harvest machine in the field on the farm. The worker will stack the baskets on top of each other until the trailer is empty or all pickers have returned to picking. The worker then begins to dump the full baskets of artichokes onto the conveyor belt of the harvest machine. After basket is empty the worker places basket on machine floor and stacks them so pickers can grab an empty basket. The worker will continue to dump until all baskets are empty. From time to time the worker will also keep machine tidy and pick up trash.

Artichoke Field Packer (field only) will walk, select artichokes for picking according to size and ripeness, and discard rotting and over-ripened artichokes, cut artichoke stem with a small knife, place artichoke in a bag that the worker carries on his back, carry the bag to the end of the row to be placed on a trailer or harvest machine, or, if there are enough pickers, packer will accommodate harvest machine and/or packaging materials in the field on the farm. When enough artichokes have been picked, packers will get on harvest machine, grab a box overhead, and select artichokes from conveyor belt; the specific size of artichoke determines the amount of artichokes to be placed in a box in the field on the farm. The packer will mark his/her number that identifies that he or she packed that box and the size of artichokes that are in the box with a crayon marker in the field on the farm. Packer will pack artichokes in carton boxes, plastic totes, plastic bags, add rubber band tags, place stickers on product, and any other packs that the sales department requires in the field on the farm.

See Addendum C

Special Requirements

3 months of agricultural experience in artichokes. Written verification of experience is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 80-90 pounds frequently. Must be able to carry an artichoke bag that weighs 80 90 pounds for up to 80% of the time; must be 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 sun, rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent kneeling, turning, reaching, squatting, bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. Must be able to operate handheld devices. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.
See addendum C.