Farmworkers And Laborers, Crop

Job description

The employee will perform all general farm labor related to the planting and harvesting of produce, including peppers, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, corn, and cucumbers. Specific duties involve harvesting, counting, pruning, loading, and unloading produce, as well as general field maintenance such as pulling weeds, raking, and cleaning around shed areas. Additionally, workers will be responsible for laying, installing, and repairing irrigation pipes, digging ditches, and washing farm machinery. This position requires working in various extreme weather conditions and involves daily repetitive movements such as bending, stooping, and heavy lifting. Applicants must be able to lift at least 52 lbs and possess at least 60 days of verifiable experience. Qualified workers may also be required to operate agricultural machinery or equipment on the farm. All necessary tools will be provided to the worker at no cost.

Workers must be able to perform strenuous manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain, for a minimum of six (6) hours per day. The position requires physical strength and endurance to bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods, as well as manual dexterity to repetitively use hands at a sustained pace to meet production standards. The employer will provide all necessary tools and equipment at no charge to the worker. Consistent with applicable law, the employer may recover the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of tools if damage results from the worker’s willful misconduct or gross negligence after the damage has occurred and after gaining the employee's written authorization to make the deduction. At its sole discretion, the employer may pay a higher wage rate based on individual performance or tenure, which does not alter the entry-level requirements of this position.

When production needs require, the employer may offer hours in excess of the daily or weekly schedule stated in the ETA-790. These additional hours are strictly voluntary and not guaranteed; no worker is required to work beyond the contracted hours, on federal holidays, or on their Sabbath, and no worker will be penalized for declining such work. Due to the nature of agriculture, workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work due to weather, crop maturity, or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods may occur at any time throughout the season. In the event of a worker-requested leave of absence during periods of available work, all missed hours will be deducted from the actual hours worked but will be credited as "hours offered" toward the fulfillment of the three-quarter guarantee. Workers are responsible for providing their own suitable work clothing.

The employer will provide a written copy of the work contract—consisting of the certified ETA Form 790/790A and any approved modifications, or a separate written agreement—at no cost to each worker in a language they understand, ensuring disclosure occurs no later than the time of visa application for those requiring a visa, the time of the job offer for those not requiring a visa or transferring from a subsequent H-2A employer, and no later than the first day of work for those in corresponding employment; furthermore, the employer and its agents are strictly prohibited from holding or confiscating a worker’s passport, visa, or other government-issued identification, and all documentation evidencing the provision of these contracts will be maintained in accordance with federal recordkeeping requirements.

Special Requirements

This type of work, involves working conditions that require tremendous stamina, a high level of physical activity in cold or extremely hot conditions in direct sunlight and in adverse weather such as rain. The work requires a high level of physical conditioning.