Farmworker

Job description

Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade and field pack strawberries, melons, sweet corn, peas, tomatoes, squash, cucumber, okra and on a smaller scale cultivate and harvest pecans. Most job duties will be performed primarily by hand (approximately 75%). Prepare fields for planting and clean fields after harvest. Spread and remove ground covers. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Plant roots, seeds and bulbs. Till soil. Prune, trim, and maintain crop. Weed and thin plants. Stake/tie and trellis plants. Monitor growth for tipping/pruning. Detassel corn. Walk through fields and pull tassel off plants as directed. Rogue fields and remove off-type plants. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops during harvest. Place harvested product into bag, box or toss to another worker that will place into bin/trailer. Handle product carefully to prevent damage. Load/unload and move harvested crops using ATV, truck or tractor pulling a trailer to designated area. Count and check harvested products. Grade, size, and sort product according to color, shape, size, appearance, feel, and/or quality, in accordance with supervisor's instructions. Inspect products for damage/defects and discard inferior products and foreign matter. Place product in bag/box according to grade and mark grades on containers. Weigh products and record weight and/or grade. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, knives shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer’s products and property. Operate equipment safely, with or without direction. Mow fields. Lift, carry, and load/unload products and/or supplies. Clean/sanitize work areas and equipment. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences. Workers who have a valid driver’s license and doctor’s certificate may drive employer’s vans or other transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. 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.

Special Requirements

Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements, frequent walking, sitting, standing, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and pushing/pulling. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lbs.