Field Workers

Job description

Field Workers: Celery (Conventional & Organic) Harvest, Crew Lead, Machine Set-up, Mechanics, General Labor, Agricultural Equipment Operator, Sanitation Worker, CalVan Driver to perform the following duties:

All work is performed in the field on the farm:

Job Description:

Celery Harvest-

Field worker to harvest celery, organic and conventional. Cut, bunch, pack, and load fresh celery in the field on the farm. Cutting is done on harvesting machine by using hands and cutting knife. Using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the employee cuts the stalk from the roots and trims the outer stalks from the stalk to prepare it to be packed into a cartons, totes, or bins. The process is repeated. Worker responsible for cleaning of equipment and maintenance of yard.

Crew Lead- Team Leaders will additionally be responsible for checking quality, filling out paperwork, and receiving order for production. May clock in other workers.

General Labor- Weeding using long-handled hoes, transplanting, runner cutting, plant thinning, and ranch maintenance, pulling plastic, pulling of drip tape, cleaning of old and new vegetative growth on plant bed. Plant bed will be classified as ?Medium? or ?High? according to the amount of runners and new/old vegetative growth present during performing work task.

Agricultural Equipment Operator will drive and control tractors in fields.

Machine set up- On the farm, workers will check the machine for water and diesel; Put sticker on bags; Supply cartons for the day and put on the machine; Open or close machine; Put machine where crew will start; move trailer, drive tractor and caterpillar.

Mechanics- On agricultural ground, Mechanics will fix tractors, cat loaders, harvest machines, lunch trailers, painting of the harvest equipment, and will perform other mechanic functions that the harvesting equipment may need. Work takes place on various farms. Mechanics must be able to lift 40 pounds. This work is considered secondary agriculture under the Fair Labor Standards Act because it is directly performed in conjunction with the farming operations and takes place on the farm.

Sanitation worker- Cleans, pressure washes, and moves restrooms on farms/fields.

CalVan Driver-

1. Driver may drive over the road in passenger vans.
2. Driver will drive designated vans to transport harvest crew workers to and from housing and worksite locations. Driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform harvesting job duties when not driving.
3. Driver will be responsible for filling van with fuel and keeping vehicle clean.
4. Driver will be required to complete and process periodic driving reports as required by state laws.
5. Driver will be required to follow all traffic laws and if applicable, vanpool rules.
6. In order to drive, drivers must possess a valid authorized driver?s license and must be able to pass DOT (Department of Transportation) recognized medical exam and fulfill all other DOT requirements.
7. CalVans performs the medical exam at no cost to the employee or employer. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the registration as an FLCE driver (if any).

Drivers are compensated for these activities.
All employees engaged in driving activities (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver's license or commercial driver's license (DL or CDL) on a voluntary basis. The DL/CDL is not a pre-hire job requirement. No job applicant will be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL/CDL or FLCE Certificate at the time of application and/or hiring. Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will be terminated for failure to obtain a DL/CDL or FLCE certificate.

Special Requirements

All workers must have at least 1 month of experience in celery harvest and workers who perform mechanic job duty must have at least 3 months mechanic experience with diesel and gas equipment. Specific requirements include lifting up to 30-55 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.

See addendum C.