Field Workers

Job description

Broccoli Harvest Worker, Lettuce Harvest Worker, Leafy Green, Agricultural Equipment Operator, Irrigator and Strawberry Harvest Worker, Bus and CalVan Driver to perform the following duties:

All work is performed in the field on the farm:

Broccoli Harvest Workers: Broccoli Harvest Workers will harvest Broccoli as a member of a harvest crew and perform the following tasks: harvest broccoli by walking in assigned furrows behind a harvesting machine, selecting size and weight of broccoli heads to be harvested as specified by supervisor. Broccoli harvest workers will bend at the waist, and using a harvest knife, cut the broccoli head from the plant and cut the sides of the broccoli head into a crown shape and place product as directed by supervisor. Harvesting work is repetitive in nature.

Workers may also be directed to floret and/or pack broccoli in the field on the farm. Floreting is performed by cutting the crown into smaller florets using a small hand knife. Stalk retention may be simultaneously performed during the floreting process by placing the stalk in a separate container after the crown has been floreted. Broccoli may be bunched with a rubber band and packed into a box or packed naked into a tote for processing in the field on the farm. Packers either or combination of; tie, sort, bag, tape and place into a specified package or carton. Floreting and packing work is repetitive in nature in the field on the farm.

Lettuce Harvest Workers: Lettuce Harvest Workers will harvest Butter, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Iceberg, Romaine and Multi-Leaf lettuce. Lettuce workers will work as members of a harvest crew and perform the following tasks: harvest lettuce by walking in assigned furrows behind a harvesting machine platform or harvesting machine, selecting size and quality of lettuce to be harvested as specified by supervisor. Lettuce harvest workers will bend at the waist and grasp selected lettuce and cut it from the roots using a harvesting knife, trim outer leaves as specified by supervisor, discard lettuce that does not meet specified quality standards and place trimmed lettuce, meeting quality standards, as directed by supervisor. Harvesting work is repetitive in nature.

Workers may also be directed to pack lettuce in the field on the farm. Packers either or combination of; tie, sort, bag, tape and place into a specified package or carton in the field on the farm. Packing work is repetitive in nature in the field on the farm.

Leafy Green Harvest Worker: Field work to harvest Leafy Greens (Spinach/Spring Mix Lettuce) and multi-leaf Lettuce. Under the direction of the field supervisor employees check and remove any foreign material (objects) such as trash, feathers, weeds, etc. from production area. Move irrigation pipe 3” x 30’ weighing 25lbs from one furrow to another as needed. The harvest machine or belt cuts product and transports it thru a conveyor where employees sort and fill totes and or bins. Once totes, RPCs or bins are filled they are pushed on the conveyor belt for workers to close/cover and stack onto pallets on the deck of the harvester or trailer. RPCs, totes or bins with product can weigh up to 50 lb. Some Totes or bins for product are constructed manually by unfolding and locking the material as designed to form a box. Packing leafy greens is repetitive in nature and may occur during the night shift in the field on the farm.

See Addendum C. SWA note: additional piece rate information provided by the employer was uploaded as a document.

Special Requirements

One-month experience cutting lettuce, broccoli, and/or strawberry harvest is required. Must have use of both hands and be able to use a lettuce harvest knife and a hand knife. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 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, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapon of any sort in the field or residential housing. Workers must be able to communicate in English or Spanish for training and safety purposes. Workers must be able to listen, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

See addendum C.