Field Workers

Job description

Field Worker (Head Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce and Spinach)

Workers will receive specific instructions on required tasks and results expected. Work will be closely monitored by Field Supervisors, Foreperson and/or Customers.

Daily work and crew assignments are made by and at the discretion of the Supervisor(s) based on Company need and/or production demand. Workers may be permanently or temporarily moved or assigned to another crew and/or positions within a crew as needed to complete the production demand, worker relief, assistance, or other justified reason.

Workers must perform the assigned work, and work at the assigned field site, and may not switch assignments without the specific authorization of a company supervisor.

Workers are expected to complete the assigned tasks in a professional and efficient manner while keeping up with the pace of the crew. Workers must be willing, able, qualified and available to complete the assigned job duties, and may be tailored with reasonable modifications if needed. Crew and position changes may not be changed without Foreman/Supervisor consent and/or reasonable cause.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with the primary duties. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor. Workers are expected to follow all safety and food safety practices and guidelines to ensure the highest quality product is harvested while protecting food safety and the safety of all crewmembers.

Descripting of Duties: Harvest Head Lettuce

At the facility: Workers may be required to travel to a packing cooling facility in Yuma (on 24th Street) that is near or adjacent to the farm to perform rework on finished product that did not meet the quality specifications or the customer requested changes.

Repacking is done by reworking product to meet customer specification, such as re-weighing, re-packing, re-sticker, re-bag or change to a different requested pack style. Workers may be required to lift products up to 60 lbs., and be required to bend, lift, twist, push and pull to complete the task. Workers are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment. This responsibility does not involve regular packing activities, which may have been completed by other workers.

In the field: Workers may cut, bag, pack multiple pack styles simultaneously and load fresh head lettuce in the field. May operate, wash, maintain and inspect tractors and harvest machines in the field. Workers are required to stand and walk in uneven furrows in front, behind and to the side of a harvesting platform machine while in a moving or stationary position in order to complete all assigned tasks.

Workers may occasionally harvest and/or pack product without harvesting machine assistance (on the ground). Such work will be performed during harvesting machine transfer from one end of a field or furrow to another and/or during non-scheduled required maintenance on equipment. Workers may be required to lift products up to 60 lbs., and also be required to bend, lift, twist, push and pull to complete the task(s).

Cutter: Cutting is done by walking on uneven furrows in front and behind a harvesting platform machine. Workers determine size and quality of the product to be harvested. Then, using a harvesting knife and bending at the waist, the worker cuts the head lettuce at its base and cleans the head of excess, damaged, or quality compromising leaves. If necessary, the head lettuce is placed in a bag properly positioned to display the company or other label prominently on the top of the head, then placed on the packing table.

Special Requirements

Specific requirements include lifting up to 75 pounds frequently and ability 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, ice, cold, high winds, etc. Candidates must have a minimum of three (3) months of vegetable harvesting experience to be considered for this work. This highly physical work involves frequent and repetitive pushing and pulling horizontally, lifting and lowering, working in bent, kneeling or in stooped positions. Must be able to walk, stand up, and climb ladders and stairs extensively. Smoking (includes electronic cigarettes), alcohol, or firearms in field and/or employer-provided housing is not permitted.

See addendum C.