Field Worker

Job description

Field Worker: Strawberry Harvest to perform the following duties:
Strawberries: Workers will perform duties associated with and directly related to strawberry harvest work, including but not limited to picking strawberries in field for fresh market and freezing/juicing; pulling plastic; cleaning; pruning; quality control, field maintenance.

Machine Harvest: Workers will perform duties associated with and directly related to strawberry harvest work, including but not limited to picking and packing in the field for fresh market and freezing/juicing; Distinguish quality and ripeness is required during picking, and place in tray/packing containers in field ranging from 8-1lb (eight 1 lb containers per box), 4-2lb (four 2 lb containers per box), 2-4lb (two 4 lb containers per box) to 12 pint containers in the field. Pickers will work on a strawberry picker machine to aid harvest. Strawberry ground/table crews will not use machine aid.

Workers must perform the assigned work and may not switch work assignments without specific authorization of a company supervisor. Workers must be willing, able, available, and qualified to perform the job duties, expected to perform all jobs in an efficient manner while maintaining the work pace of the crew/machine. Workers are expected to harvest at least 80% of the crew average.

Instructions and general supervision will be provided by a designated crew leader or company supervisor. However, workers are expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner and to maintain production and quality standards without close direct supervision. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality inspections and good agricultural practices must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy, inconsistent, or improper work will not be tolerated. All work must be evaluated by their supervisor(s) after a specified period of actual harvesting in regards to the ability to maintain sufficient pace, correctly identifying quality, pack strawberries, and similar factors. Workers whose job performance is sloppy, inconsistent, inefficient will be subject for termination.

Plant Cleaning: Cleaning of old and new vegetative growth on plant bed. Plant bed will be classified as medium or high according to the amount of runners and new/old vegetative growth present during work task.

Special Requirements

1 month of strawberry harvest experience. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and 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.

Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.