Blueberry Machine Operators

Job description

The work is performed in the field on the farm:

The Blueberry Machine Operators operates various types of farm equipment, such as a blueberry harvester machine, frontend loader and tractor. The position follows company policies and standards and adheres to all safety practices and requirements. The position ensures clean work areas that are free of objects that may cause accidents.

The Blueberry Machine Operator will perform routine maintenance checks of the blueberry harvester machine at the beginning of the shift and throughout the day to ensure they are functioning properly. The Blueberry Machine Operator will be driving and running the blueberry harvester machine through the blueberry furrows. Once the blueberry harvester machine is loaded with trays, the blueberry machine operator will run a frontend loader and will take the trays with blueberries off the blueberry harvester machine and will place them on to semi-trailers. Additionally, Blueberry Machine Operators will be responsible for washing the blueberry harvesting machine daily at the end of every shift using a power washer and chlorine to disinfect

Blueberry Machine Operator is responsible for handling the fruit (blueberries) trays. They will ensure that the empty trays are getting filled onto the blueberry harvester machine. Once the trays are full, they will grab them and stack them up on pallets.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

Additionally, the Blueberry Machine Operator is responsible for spot spraying using a handheld sprayer. Workers will be walking through the fields while holding the spot sprayer with their hand and will be spraying chemical on the weeds. Also, the Blueberry Machine Operator is responsible for pulling and cutting weeds out with their hands as they walk through the field. Blueberry Machine Operator will also be driving a spot sprayer tractor through the field. Work must perform routine maintenance checks of the tractor at the beginning of the shift and throughout the day to ensure they are functioning properly

Workers are responsible for following Crew Leader instructions. These include, completing daily warm-up exercises.

“The employer hereby confirms that the amount of time spent hand weeding is intermittent and is estimated at 10% of the workers' scheduled hours. The workers are provided gloves and training at no cost. Specifically, they are given time each day to warm up, and are given trainings regarding avoiding work-related injuries on a regular basis. The workers are not provided knee pads because the workers will not be kneeling for any of the job duties.”

The workers are provided gloves and training at no cost. Specifically, they are given time each day to warm up, and are given trainings regarding avoiding work-related injuries on a regular basis.

Special Requirements

Requirements: 3 months of experience of operating agricultural equipment such as tractors. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops for proper ripeness and maturity. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Must be able to communicate in English or Spanish for training and safety purposes. Work is performed outdoors in open fields and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 40 degrees F to over 90 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described. Must have attention to detail. Ability to produce a quality product at an efficient pace. Ability to understand and follow directions. See addendum C.