Farm Worker

Job description

Manually prepare fields, plant, cultivate and harvest blueberries, tobacco. Mechanically cultivate blueberry fields. Carry supplies including bags and baling wire to the field. Set plants in rows. Transplant or replant tobacco as needed. Take care to prevent bruising or breaking plants. Remove tops, flowers, and suckers. Pull mature leaves from stalks based on stalk position and leaf color. Place leaves on conveyor belt. Pack leaves for transport to tobacco barns for curing. Loading and unloading tobacco barns. String, handle and hang tobacco leaves for drying. Placing tobacco on sheets and bind in bundles. Assemble and maintain shade tents. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Apply fertilizers at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Load and unload product and supplies/materials. Stack and unstack pallets. Equipment may include sprayers, power shears, chainsaws. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on equipment. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs. Use hand tools including but not limited to rakes, hoes, tractors, mattocks, brush hooks and/or axes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Clean and maintain work areas, vehicles, fences, building and equipment. Workers that have/obtain proper documentation/licenses may haul product as directed by supervisor. Workers who have a valid driver’s license and doctor’s certificate may drive employer’s vans or other transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. As a minor activity, if needed, workers may assist with the feeding and general maintenance of cattle. 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.

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.

Special Requirements

Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements, frequent standing, pushing/pulling and lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. Must be 21 years or older with a federal passenger endorsed CDL license.