Watermelon Harvesting & Packing

Job description

The worker will perform job duties as assigned by supervisor. They will vary from time to time depending on crop ripening and weather. The watermelon harvesting is temporary and will last from April to May.

Watermelon Hand Harvesting-In order to perform this kind of work, the worker must be able to walk down the field row and use a knife to hand cut ripe watermelons off the vine for harvesting. The watermelons are then loaded in a bus by forming part of an assembly line, in which the first worker bends down picks up the watermelon and it is passed on to consecutive workers by passing, catching, lifting, until it reaches the worker on the bus, who then sets it down and stacks them until the bus is considered full.

Watermelon Packing- The watermelon is transported by bus to the packing shed. Upon its arrival, it is unloaded by a group of workers and placed on a conveyer belt. The group of workers on the conveyer belt are responsible for sorting, labeling, and packing the watermelon in cardboard containers. While the workers are waiting on the next load of watermelons to arrive, they will be responsible for assembling card board containers.

The worker must be able to work outside for 7 hours a day in all kinds of weather including, but not limited to extreme cold and hot conditions, direct sunlight, and rain. Workers must have the required physical strength and endurance to repeat the process rapidly and skillfully involved in this type of work. Workers will perform prolonged walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying 0-75 lbs. Due to the nature of this type of work, there will be a Probationary Period of six (6) days beginning on the first day of employment for the employee to acclimate to the job specifications listed under the Job Descriptions and Requirements. The worker will be given specific instructions as to how to properly perform the work specified in the Job Description and Requirements Section on the first day of work. Workers who do not perform the work as specified, may be terminated. The employer will provide the tools necessary to perform the described job duties without charge to the worker. The employer will charge the worker for reasonable costs related to the workers refusal or negligent failure to return the tools or due to such workers willful damage or destruction of the tools.

Farm Equipment and Vehicle Operation-The workers may need to use various farm equipment and vehicles to transport him/herself or other workers to and throughout the work-site to perform the watermelon harvesting work. The workers must use safety and precaution when using the farm equipment and vehicles. All passengers must be seated and practice safety and precaution when using the farm equipment and and vehicles. The passengers must wait to exit the farm equipment and vehicles when the driver comes to a complete stop and gets off the vehicle. The workers will keep the farm equipment and vehicles free of trash. The workers may also need to transport workers to and from work each day from the employer provided housing and serve as a team leader.

Special Requirements

The worker must be responsible and consistent on the job. The worker must be able to lift 75 lbs. continuously throughout the day and work in all kinds of weather.