Farmworker; Diversified

Job description

This job order is for the sorting, harvesting, and packing employer’s products of onions, and watermelons

Worker must possess the physical strength and endurance (ability to continue or last) to repeat the harvest process though out the workday, working quickly and skillfully to perform activities assigned during that activity. Workers must work at a sustained (continuing for an extended period of time without interruption), vigorous pace (quick and steady) and make bona fide efforts (made in earnest intent) to work efficiently (performing or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) and consistently (same way for a long time) that are reasonable under the climatic and other working conditions, Workers may not leave trash, or other discarded items in work areas or vehicles but must dispose of such items in provided receptacles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. Allergies to varieties of ragweed, goldenrod, insecticides, related agricultural chemicals, etc, may affect worker’s ability to perform the work described herein.

Workers will perform various duties associated with grading, sorting and packing onions, watermelons, squash, zucchini, potatoes, corn broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, greens, citrus, and avocado. Workers will also perform weeding duties and pulling plastic from watermelons fields after harvest has finished.
Grading Working carefully remove any field debris and defective produce as defined by grading supervisor as produce moves across grading tables. Produce must be handled carefully to avoid bruises or fingernail cuts.

Fillers Workers box the graded produce in appropriate containers by attending automatic filler or by hand as necessary according to packaging instructions disclosed by the supervisor.

Levelers Boxed produce is carefully hand-leveled by worker to assure an even level of fruit in each container. Excess produce is removed from overfilled boxes and placed carefully in separate containers

Top/Box Makers Bottom and lid machines are fed flat corrugated product by worker to produce a glued bottom and lid. Workers feed finished bottoms into a chute for fillers and apply lids to filled boxes after boxes are leveled.

Stackers Workers pick up filled boxes weighing up to 50 lbs. from conveyor and stack carefully by prescribed pattern and height onto pallets by size and lot stamped on box as directed by loading supervisor.

Support jobs include bin and pallet repair and after hours’ cleanup. Workers may be required to weed fields.

Equipment Operation During Packing Operations: Workers may be required to operate forklifts, Pallets jacks, hand jacks, graders, weightier, baggers and conveyance during packing operations as an incidental. Before any worker is required to operate a forklift, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation. Workers will be required to operate forklifts according to instructions and in a manner that protects the operator, other workers and equipment. Repeated failure to obey operating and safety instructions may result in termination.

Farm, and Field Sanitation All workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors and other farm sanitation duties. Workers will be responsible for cleaning shed, equipment, machinery and vehicles.

During certain duties, workers may be required to work in teams to accomplish a certain task. When engage in team work activities workers must coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish the task.

Employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malinger, or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months experience grading or packing a perishable agricultural product.
Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.