General Farmworker

Job description

General workers needed to perform various duties associated with the production, harvest, & packing of vegetable crops. Vegetable warehouse support is for product primarily produced by the employer.
Additional crops may include flue-cured tobacco, grain crops, hay, and the related job duties. Workers will perform work according to supervisors instructions. Job involves stooping, lifting and working outside in inclement weather & outdoor temps in excess of 100 degrees. Must be able to lift & carry up to 75lbs. Must have legal authority to work in the US. Must have three months positive verifiable prior experience in job offered. Raises and/or bonuses may be offered to any seasonal worker employed pursuant to this job order, at the company's sole discretion, based on individual factors including work performance, skill, and tenure. Workers may be required to take random, post-accident, and/or upon suspicion drug or alcohol test at no cost to worker, post hire. Testing positive or failure to comply may result in immediate termination from employment.
General Conditions Applicable to All Crops: Work begins at an assigned time shortly after daylight. Work is performed under various weather conditions. Workers will use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects, load and unload trucks. All of the tasks in this job description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer. Workers may be required to perform work on the farm that is incidental to producing the crops such as performing hand weeding or hoeing, greenhouse cleaning and repairing buildings, maintaining grounds, operate tractor/farm equipment, incidental crop setup when needed, and movement of irrigation systems and equipment, gardening, cleaning around ponds & fields. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.
Seven to eight hours per day is normal. Workers may be offered more than the specified work in a single day. The worker may be requested but not required to work 12-14 hours per day and/or on the Sabbath or Federal holidays depending upon the conditions in the fields, weather, and maturity of the crop. The employer will designate time for lunch and breaks. Worker may be requested to work Saturday and Sunday during peak times and special needs but not required. These requirements pertain to both H-2A and US workers. Extreme heat, cold or drought may affect working hours. Employer will offer 40 hours/week, weather and crop conditions permitting. Worker will report to work at designated time and place as directed by employer each day.
Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work due to weather, crop, or other conditions beyond the control of the employer. This can occur anytime throughout the season. As a general matter, working hours will be divided between duties related to vegetables, tobacco, grain crops, & hay depending on the employers needs. Given that the demands of agricultural production are unpredictable and determined by factors to include weather, crop conditions, market demands and seasonal task needs and numerous other factors, it is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy the percentage of time that will be dedicated to any specific task.
In the event the US Department of Labor (DOL) promulgates a new AEWR during the recruitment or work contract period that is lower than the current AEWR at the time of application, the employer will pay the newly established AEWR. If, however, there is an adjustment to the AEWR, the employer will still pay the highest of the adjusted AEWR, prevailing hourly wage or piece rate, the agreed upon collective bargaining wage or the Federal or State minimum wage.

SEE ADDENDUM C FOR ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

Special Requirements

Must able to lift & carry 75lbs. Workers may be required to take random, post accident, and/or upon suspicion drug/alcohol test post hire at no cost to worker. Must have legal authority to work in the US. Must have three months positive verifiable prior experience in job offered.