Farmworkers

Job description

Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade and pack watermelon by hand. Operate machinery to plant and harvest cotton and peanuts. Prepare fields by performing duties which include: plowing, fertilizing and laying plastic. Use clippers to cut watermelons from vine while selecting watermelon according to supervisor’s instructions taking into consideration size and quality. In an assembly line pick up cut watermelon and toss to other worker to place on dry road or to load into bin on trailer to be field packed. On truck, grade and pack produce into boxes or bags according to supervisor’s instructions. Shovel peanuts onto conveyor. Pick up and load loose cotton. Hand chop and rogue cotton. Operate module to pack cotton and manually put dropped cotton back into module using a pitchfork and load cotton bales. Attach farm implements, such as a plow, disc, and drill to tractor. As a minor activity workers will cut hay. Install, repair and maintain irrigation. Roll irrigation line up and place into truck. Pick up plastic and place in front loader. Clean and maintain containers, materials, supplies including buckets, gloves and clippers and work areas including pulling weeds. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker’s Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a two day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the introductory period if the worker’s performance fails to satisfy the employer’s reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the two day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer’s recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Three months of farm work experience. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs., extensively walk, bend, reach, push, pull and toss watermelon and work outside in hot or wet weather conditions. Must be 18 years or older.