Farm Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to hand cut and machine core cabbage using a self-propelled coring machine and plant cabbage. Cabbage is field cut using a knife, put on conveyor belt, cored and dropped into bin. Count and check cabbage. Operate, repair and maintain farm vehicles, machinery and equipment. Clean and clear fields including pulling weeds. Ride a farm machine called a transplanter. Manually feed the cabbage transplants into fingers on the transplanter that place the cabbage plant into the ground and covers the root of the plant with dirt. Workers will be asked to swap up walking behind the transplanter and planting transplants by hand. Workers are also responsible for farm and field sanitation including picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and other farm sanitation duties. Workers must use care when harvesting not to damage produce. Workers with licenses may drive the bus or other transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional work hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

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.

When the weather is hot during cabbage harvest, work may start at 2:00 am and end at 10:00 am Monday-Friday and 7:00 am on Saturday. When this happens, there will be a breakfast break between 6:00 am and 7:00 am. This is necessary because cored cabbage quickly becomes ruined if it does not cool fast enough, so it needs to be harvested early in the day.
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. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the two day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer’s recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable farm work experience required. Work outside in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Work requires repetitive pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, walking, lifting and carrying 60 lbs. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.