General Farm/irrigation Worker

Job description

Worker will be required to perform a variety of duties related to the production of pumpkins, squash, watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, and tomatoes. The majority of the work activities during the overall contract period, however, will be related to general farm work/irrigation/crop production.
General Farm Work will include the following responsibilities: maintain, drive, attach, and operate farm implements/tractors/equipment to till soil, plant, cultivate, fertilize, and harvest crops; make minor mechanical adjustments and repairs on farm machinery; prepare fields; may mix and/or spray chemicals (according to appropriate restrictive use laws, when/if applicable); remove undesirable and excess growth from crops or farm grounds; sow seed and plant cuttings; recognize disease and/or nutrient/moisture requirements by plant texture/development or soil condition; observe general condition of plants and apply the appropriate care; read/interpret meters used to regulate/control environmental conditions; mix planting soil; pollinate/prune/transplant/pinch plants and cull appropriately to ensure development of product; propagate plants; haul and spread soil/products to condition land; fill growing tanks with water; mow/tend sod; trap/poison pests; plant shrubs/plants in containers; identify and remove produce that is misshapen, damaged, or inferior; pick up/handle/climb ladder, clear property; prepare plastic growing beds; set up/maintain pump/filter station; clean warehouse in accordance with GAP standards; occasionally plant crops by hand; paint/repair/maintain farm structures; replace/repair fencing; perform general cleanup of farm areas; drive, load/unload trucks; operate vehicle, motor bike, or all-terrain vehicle in the course of performing duties; transport crops to market.
Irrigation duties will include the following:
Flood Irrigation: lift gate in side of flooded irrigation ditch/pipe permitting water to flow into bordered section of field; shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment or cut trenches in high areas to direct water flow; close gate in ditch/pipe when bordered section is flooded; open gate or connect pipe to underground pipe system that releases water flow into reservoir or ditch; siphon water from flooded reservoir or ditch to channel water into designated areas; shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water; mix and apply proper solutions to fill holes/cracks in pipes, ditches, and spillways, and make minor repairs to metal, concrete, and wooden frameworks in pipe and ditch valves and gates.
Drip Irrigation: move and lay drip irrigation equipment in fields; walk behind tractor to assist in installing/laying drip irrigation and to ensure layflat spools correctly when removing from field; move drip hoses; maintain/repair drip irrigation; flush drip irrigation lines; remove drip irrigation and layflat from fields prior to harvest; ensure layflat spools correctly when removing from field.
Other Irrigation Duties: remove pipes/wheel lines from storage and lay out/place in predetermined patterns in fields; lubricate, adjust, repair, and replace parts such as sprinkler heads and drive chains using hand tools; observe revolving sprinklers and adjust to ensure proper operation and uniform distribution of water; disassemble, service, and store pipes/mainlines/wheel lines after irrigation season; start drip irrigation pumps; maintain drip irrigation system; clean drip irrigation filters; repair drip irrigation tape.