Field Workers

Job description

Irrigators will work with Head lettuce, Leaf lettuce, Strawberries, Broccoli, Broccolini, Rapini, Spring mix, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Green leaf, Lima beans, Onions, Garlic, Red Leaf, Romaine and perform the following duties:

Irrigation Technicians will unload sprinkler pipe from trailer and set up irrigation system, check and unplug sprinkler birds to ensure uniform irrigation, move sprinkler pipe multiple times in conjunction with other operations until crop is harvested, load sprinkler pipe onto trailer, install drip hose and set up drip tape system, repair in-field drip hose leaks, and remove drip tape at harvest. Other duties may include welding or splicing of drip tape, stacking of irrigation pipe, cleaning, maintaining, and repairing of sprinkler pipe and accessories, shovel and other work assigned by the supervisor.

Pre-irrigation Unloading and Loading of Sprinkler Pipe: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Workers lay (or pick up) sprinkler irrigation pipes by securely connecting (or disconnecting) one pipe to (or from) another until end of irrigation line. Teams are made up of 3 workers. One worker drives a tractor with a trailer that carries aluminum pipes, while the other two workers walk behind. There are two sizes of aluminum pipe: 30’ x 3” weighing approximately 25 pounds and 30’x 6” weighing approximately 50 pounds. Under the direction of the field supervisor, workers remove pipes one at a time by bending at the waist and manually unloading (or loading) pipes into (or from) the furrow to set up the field for irrigation. Pre-irrigation unloading and loading is done in fallow fields.

Solid Set Unloading & Loading of Sprinkler Pipe: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Workers lay (or pick up) sprinkler irrigation pipes by securely connecting (or disconnecting) one pipe to (or from) another until end of irrigation line. Teams are made up of 3 workers. One worker drives a tractor with a trailer that carries aluminum pipes, while the other two workers walk behind. There are two sizes of aluminum pipe: 30’ x 3” weighing approximately 25 pounds and 30’x6” weighing approximately 50 pounds. Under the direction of the field supervisor, workers remove pipes one at a time by bending at the waist and manually unloading (or loading) pipes into (or from) the furrow to set the field up for irrigation. To set up an irrigation system, workers may install 6-inch mainline aluminum pipe that distributes water to lateral 3-inch lines. Solid set unloading and loading of sprinkler pipe is done when fields are planted with seeds (or transplants) or after harvest.

Unplugging Sprinkler Birds: Workers walk across beds on wet, uneven furrows. Workers move within the field, searching for non-working or plugged sprinklers. Workers use employer provided tools to unplug sprinklers. Workers must avoid stepping on and smashing the seeds and/or plants.

Moving Sprinkler Lines: Workers walk across beds on uneven furrows. As directed by supervisor, workers move sprinkler pipes, one at a time, to furrows by securely connecting one end into the other. The latch must securely fit and lock into position. Workers must avoid stepping on and smashing the seeds and/or plants. There are two sizes of aluminum pipe: 30’ x 3” weighing approximately 25 pounds and 30’x 6” weighing approximately 50 pounds. To set up an irrigation system, workers may install 6-inch mainline aluminum pipe that distributes water to lateral 3-inch lines.

See Addendum C.

Special Requirements

One month of experience in irrigation is required for all positions. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently. Workers must stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds in the course of performing required activities. Must have use of both hands and be able to use hand tools. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons of any sort in the housing are allowed or working fields. Workers must be able to communicate in English or Spanish for training and safety purposes.


Work is performed outdoors in open fields and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 20 degrees F to over 100 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described.

See Addendum C.