Sweetcorn Pullers

Job description

Perform manual labor to harvest sweetcorn and cabbage by hand. Perform manual farm maintenance and maintain cotton and peanut fields. Workers will mechanically plant seeds/liners in fields. At harvest, workers walk rows while bending and reaching to select mature ears of corn, pulling off the stalk and tossing up onto moving conveyor belt equipment in the field. Workers must carefully select ears of corn of correct size and maturity, avoiding ears with discolored husks, unacceptable shanks (longer than 6 inches) or visible worm damage. Workers must keep up with the moving conveyor belt system being pulled by a tractor as it moves slowly through the field at a speed ranging from ½ mile to one mile per hour. Pick up rocks in fields and complete manual field cleanup activities. Pull weeds by hand. Long-sleeve shirts and pants are recommended to be worn when harvesting. Workers will pack ears of corn and cabbage on wirebound crate, RPC or corrugated box. Make boxes and stack boxes on pallets. Install, repair, maintain, and remove fences and farm buildings. Clean and maintain farm vehicles, implements and equipment. Workers may drive forklifts at the packing house. Excludes all activities performed in the processing room. Workers with a valid license and doctor’s certificate may transport other workers and be offered additional 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.

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 farmwork experience required. Perform prolonged walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting and carrying of 40 lbs. Physical stamina is required. Work is outside in extremely hot, humid and/or wet weather with gnats for extensive periods of time. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process.