Strawberry Harvesters

Job description

Workers will perform duties associated with and related to strawberry harvest work, including, but not limited to picking and packing in the field for fresh market and freezing/juicing and punching task.

Essential Functions:
• Participate in daily morning exercise routine
• Workers are required to distinguish quality and ripeness as indicated by their crew leader;
• Hand pick the product directly from the growing beds onto a harvesting cart;
• Place and organize product in packing containers ranging from 1 lb (eight 1 lb clamshells per box) to 4 lbs (two 4 lb clamshells per box) in the field.
• Upon filling a box, worker will place an identifying label on it, pick it up and carry out of the furrow and place it on a quality checking (QC) station;
• Worker will then pick up an empty box and containers and return to their harvesting cart to restart the process;
• When required, workers will also harvest product in trays for freezing/juicing. This may be done simultaneously or a combination of picking different fruit sizes for different packing.
• Pickers will work on strawberry fields only.
• Attend weekly safety tailgate meetings

Plant Maintenance Essential Functions:
• Participate in daily morning exercise routines
• Cutting of runners or lateral roots on plant beds;
• Cleaning of old and new vegetative growth on plant bed, dropping damaged fruit;
• Weeding with a long handled hoe;
• Workers will be using both hands, pruning shears or some other type of tool to perform tasks.
• Attend weekly safety tailgate meetings

Work Environment/Performance Demands:
Employee must be able to work in a self-regulated team environment. Worker must perform the assigned work and may not switch work assignments without specific authorization from the crew leader. Workers must be willing, able, available, and qualified to perform the job duties expected and to perform all jobs in an efficient manner. Specifically, workers must meet the production standards as indicated in the Qualifications section above.

A designated crew leader or company supervisor will provide instructions and general supervision. However, workers are expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner and to maintain production and quality standards without close direct supervision.
This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality inspections and good agricultural practices must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy, inconsistent, or improper work will not be accepted. All work will be evaluated by the supervisor(s) after a specified period of actual harvesting in regard to the ability to maintain sufficient pace, correctly identifying quality, packing strawberries, and similar factors. Workers whose job performance is below standard will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

Special Requirements

1 month of strawberry harvesting experience. Must be over the age of 18. Must be able to walk unassisted in rough but even terrain. 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.