Farmworker

Job description

Perform manual labor to cultivate, fertilize, grade, sort, and harvest crops including apples, cucumbers, corn, specialty peppers, and muscadines. Perform blackberry cleanup. Field pack produce. Fruit must be handled carefully to avoid bruises or fingernail cuts. Select fruits from the tree according to size and/or color standard set by the supervisor. Check entire tree to ensure removal of all fruit meeting-picking requirements. Place fruits gently in the picking container until container is full. Perform ongoing orchard maintenance including pruning and thinning fruit trees. Limbs must not be torn from the tree, nor should limbs be completely stripped of leaves or fruit. Proper spacing and selection of fruit are critical to maximizing the trees potential yield. Thin fruit using hands to knock off excess fruit taking care to walk around entire tree before moving to the next. Prepare land to plant new trees. Make sure the land is clear of stones, sticks, roots, etc. This will include working for hours in a bent or stooped position. When planting a tree, pay close attention to supervisor's instructions to ensure the survival of the tree. Dig the hole by hand to the desired depth, place the tree and cover with remaining soil. Remove old and unproductive fruit trees. Take care to not damage or destroy any other trees or property in the area. Carefully remove any leaves from fruit while grading. Take care not to bruise or scar produce. Perform weed control and spray crops. Clean up plastic of cucumbers and peppers. Plant cover crop. Operate farm equipment and machinery. May construct trellises, repair fences, pallets and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities. Tend to bees. Workers with licenses may transport workers and may be offered additional hours.

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.

Special Requirements

Employees must be 18 years or older. Must lift and carry 30 lbs. Work in extreme temperatures. Extensive pushing, pulling, stooping and bending. Climb ladders up to 12 feet tall. Drug free workplace. Pre-employment background check, random, upon suspicion, and post-accident drug testing conducted at employers expense. Generally we do not employ persons convicted of sex related crimes, theft, violent crimes or drug related crimes. Individual circumstances are taken into consideration.