Agriculture Farm Worker
Employer
9302 Portland Rd
Clarksville, MI 48815
United States
Job description
Employee will be expected to preform physically demanding outdoor work in a commercial apple orchard, using the pack-in-the-field method apples are harvested, sorted, and packed directly into containers in the orchard rather than being transported in bulk to a packing facility. Employees must maintain product quality while meeting productivity standards and following all food safety and sanitation requirements. The employee’s primary responsibilities include: Harvest mature apples by hand according to size, color, and maturity standards established by the employer; Carefully remove apples from trees using proper picking techniques and tools with are taught upon hire to prevent bruising or stem punctures; Place harvested apples directly into picking bags, buckets, or other approved harvesting containers; Transfer apples from harvesting containers into field packing containers, cartons, trays, or bins while maintaining quality standards; Inspect apples during harvest and packaging, separating damaged, diseased, insect-infested, or unmarketable fruit; Handle fruit carefully to minimize bruising and preserve market quality.
Transport filled containers or assist with moving packed fruit to designated collection areas; Climb ladders or use approved orchard platforms to harvest fruit from various tree heights; Follow instructions regarding harvest order, fruit varieties, and packing requirements; Maintain production records or identify packed containers when required; Assist with setting up, maintaining, and cleaning field packing stations and equipment; Perform other agricultural tasks as assigned, including pruning debris removal, orchard maintenance, or preparing harvesting equipment. This position requires continuous manual labor and significant physical exertion, including: Standing and walking for extended periods, often 8 to 12 hours per day; Frequent reaching above shoulder level to harvest fruit; Repeated bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and twisting throughout the workday; Climbing ladders multiple times each day while carrying harvesting equipment; Carrying filled picking bags or buckets weighing approximately 30 to 50 pounds; Lifting, loading, and stacking packed boxes or bins that may weigh up to 50 pounds or more; Repetitive use of hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders for grasping, picking, sorting, and packing apples.
Working outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, rain, humidity, and direct sunlight; Walking on uneven terrain, hillsides, muddy ground, and orchard rows; Performing repetitive motions at a sustained pace throughout the harvest season. Employees must comply with all applicable food safety and sanitation practices, including: Wash hands thoroughly before beginning work, after using restroom facilities, after eating, drinking, smoking, coughing, sneezing, touching the face, or handling contaminated materials; Use designated handwashing stations supplied with clean water, soap, and single-use towels; Maintain clean hands and clothing while handling apples intended for human consumption; Keep harvesting bags, containers, ladders, packing materials, and equipment clean and free from contamination; Do not place harvested apples directly on the ground; Remove damaged or contaminated fruit from packed product; Report any illness, open wounds, cuts, vomiting, diarrhea, or symptoms of communicable disease to a supervisor before handling produce; Cover cuts or abrasions with appropriate waterproof bandages and protective gloves when permitted.
Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco, or chewing gum while actively harvesting or packing fruit except in designated break areas; Properly dispose of trash and maintain clean work areas throughout the orchard.
Follow employer food safety policies consistent with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and any applicable produce safety regulations; Use clean gloves when required and replace gloves that become torn or contaminated.
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. Due to the type of work involved, if worker can not maintain the level of production set forth by the farmer, the worker will have to be terminated for being unable to complete the work as deemed in this order.
In accordance with applicable Michigan state law, Earned Sick Time Act 338. Employers are required to provide earned sick time to their employees. The amount of paid sick leave provided may vary depending on the size of the business.
De acuerdo con la ley estatal de Michigan aplicable, la Ley de Tiempo de Enfermedad Ganado 338, el empleador proporciona tiempo de enfermedad ganado a los trabajadores. La cantidad de licencia por enfermedad pagada proporcionada puede variar segn el tamao del negocio.