Specialty Harvester/buncher And Farmworker Specialist

Job description

The specialty harvester/buncher hand-harvests crops that require cutting with knife or other tool; bunching or banding with rubber band or twistie; handling gently to avoid a bruised or disheveled bunch; counting accurately according to each crop's specific box count; judging quality including gradations of each crop to meet customer and industry standards; being able to perform the job while progress is tracked to ensure employees are meeting minimum guidelines; being able to lift, carry over distance, repetitively stack and restack boxes up to 60 lbs.; being able to perform tasks for extended periods of time in the elements sitting on knees (for low to the ground crops) or standing and bending over to pack and palletize crops.
The farmworker specialist performs common fresh-market row crop duties including irrigation; tractor operation; truck driving to transport crops, equipment or employees, farm equipment operation and maintenance.
These duties are performed in weather of all kinds. The duties frequently involve repetitive movements and extensive pushing, pulling and overall exertion and lifting. Moving irrigation pipes in particular requires lifting the long pipes and moving them to another section of the field. Tractor duties such as cultivating require precise operation and close attention to detail to prevent the blades from cutting plants/roots. Employees are expected to work through the full contract period: Feb. 5 through Dec. 4.

Guidelines for harvest:
Radish: 5 boxes/hour
Spinach: 3 boxes/hour
Cilantro: 5 boxes/hour
Green onion: 3 boxes/hour
Parsleys: 4 boxes/hour
Kales: 3 boxes/hour
Box counts:
Radish - 24 bunches/box
Spinach - 24 bunches/box
Cilantro - 30 bunches/box
Green onion - 48 bunches/box
Parsleys - 30 bunches/box
Kales - 24 bunches/box

Special Requirements

Employees must notify farm management prior to voluntarily terminating employment. Employees who abandon employment without notice are considered terminated. Terminated employees are not eligible for rehire. Employees who leave employment with notice are eligible for rehire on an individual basis.
Employees are prohibited from showing up for work or performing the job while under the influence of and impaired by any alcohol or drugs, illicit or prescription.
Employees who reside in employer-provided housing are required to follow housing rules intended to keep the housing clean and safe for everyone and within federal and state housing regulations.