Field Worker

Job description

Job Duties:

Agricultural Equipment Operator (Forklift):
Operate powered industrial trucks to load and unload product, operate ice injector and bobcat to inject ice into product for cooling. Operate Vacuum Tube(s) for iceless and leaf products. Operate 12 pallet forklift. Move cooled product into the cooler for storage prior to shipment. Load outbound trucks, breakdown pallets as necessary.

Duties/Responsibilities:
• Obtain copy of production schedule
• Perform daily equipment checks such as oil levels, malfunctioning equipment, etc.
• Loading and unloading materials and product from field trailers
• Loading ice injector hopper with ice
• Loading ice injector with palletized product for icing
• Restack pallets when necessary
• Transfer cooled product into the cooler for shipment
• Reports any issues to supervisor or higher-level employee
• Sanitize equipment daily, prior to startup
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Regularly sitting on a powered industrial truck
• Prolonged periods standing and walking
• Frequently lift up to 60 pounds and adjust body position to bend, stoop, stand, walk, turn, pivot and stand for long periods of time
• Manual dexterity as needed to operate a variety of machinery and equipment
• Having good eye-hand-foot coordination
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, depending upon season

Required Skills/Abilities:
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to listen, understand, and follow directions
• Follow instructions for operating equipment and keeping records
• Execute assignments in an accurate, timely and safe manner
• Ability to work in a variety of roles
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Forklift certification per OSHA standards

Sweet Corn Harvest:

Packaging Assembler: Worker will assemble boxes(19”x 11” x 13”; 19”x 11” 14”; RPCs) and place a sticker on package.

Picker: While walking the worker will select and remove desired ears from corn stalks. Ears will be approximately 5-9” in length and placed on harvest platform packing table.

Packer: Worker will sort if necessary and place 48 ears of corn into packaging. Worker will close package and place on harvesting machine finished product conveyor belt.

Stacker/Pallet maker: Worker will lay 40-pound pallet in a row on trailer. Worker will remove cartons from harvest machine finished product conveyor and stack six (6) layers of packages, eight (8) packages per layer. During stacking, the worker will place a 1 1/4“W by 48” L slat in between every two levels of cartons. Worker will then place three (3) nylon straps with buckle around pallet stacks and buckle.

Tractor Driver/machine operator: Will place pallets and load boxes on platform. Place Vboards and secure load. Transport trailer from the field to the staging area. Machine operator will move machine as necessary for harvesting and relocation.

Weeding Description - Using a 6” broad bladed knife/tool, worker will insert knife into ground next to base of weed and pull with fingers.

Repackaging/Dumping: worker will remove product from finished packaging; sort and discard unwanted corn or materials under advice from supervisor and repackage material into new/ different packaging.

Roadway Opening: In the event of corn lodging, worker will walk in furrow ahead of harvesting equipment and move corn stalks to clear pathway for tractor footprint.

Special Requirements

1 month of sweet corn harvest experience. 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, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing. Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.