Farm Workers And Laborers

Job description

Pumpkin Harvesting: the worker will walk down the pumpkin field rows where the pumpkin will be harvested. The worker will first cut the vine off the pumpkin with a small knife. The worker will bend over harvesting the pumpkin which can vary in weight from 20lbs to 60lbs from the ground and tossing the pumpkin to the worker next to him and this worker will toss the pumpkin to the next worker and so on, until the pumpkin is then tossed to the person inside the bus who will place the pumpkin on the floor.
Packing: When the bus is full, it will be taken to the packing house where the workers will unload the pumpkins and put it in a conveyer belt that will transport the pumpkins into the packing house where it will be separated by size, labeled and packed.

Note: The Packing houses are located inside the Farms and at least 50% of the product processed belongs to the Fixed Site Employer.

Vegetables:
Workers will harvest vegetables. Shovel, haul, spread. Manure, dig holes, ditches, and trenches. Manually plant, cultivate, harvest, count, load, and unload vegetables, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Workers will field pick and pack vegetables in the field. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil, applying fertilizers, transplanting, pulling weeds, raking, cleaning around shed area, thinning or pruning crops, applying pesticides, cleaning, grading, and packing harvested products. Workers will also do staking, tying, loading, removing, and unloading of stakes. All tools, supplies, and equipment will be provided at no cost to the worker. May repair fences and farm buildings and participate in irrigation activities. May drive workers to the store and/or fields.
**The ability of an employee to safely operate machinery and vehicles will be left up to the discretion of management. To ensure the safety of all employees, those interested in operating machinery and vehicles must be able to communicate with employer and adequately follow instructions given by management. Management reserves the right to restrict employees from operational duties who do not show a proficiency to effectively communicate with management and may therefore place other employees’ safety at risk. **
Job Requirements:
Must be 18 years or older. If driving vehicles, a valid driver’s license is required. The employer may conduct a
criminal background check on all new applicants for employment. Must assist with all Good Agricultural Practices policies. Most of the workday is spent on one’s feet and outdoors. Workers may stand in one place for any period of time. Workers must be able to climb, stand, sit, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, bend (from the waist), push, pull, reach and lift 10-100lbs. Work is performed in outdoor agricultural fields and. Involves exposure to sun, wind, rain, soil, mud, dust, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Workers must be able to withstand working in the direct sunlight and weather conditions ranging from hot and humid weather, moderate rain and cold while performing their required job duties. Workers should expect periods of little/no work during harvesting time due to uncontrollable weather conditions. Hours and days of work may vary due to these conditions. Cell phones can only be used during breaks, emergencies, and to communicate with the supervisor when needed. Workers should also come prepared wearing appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described. Workers may be offered more than the standard hours of work in a single day. Workers may volunteer to work additional hours when work is available. Hours of work may increase/decrease depending on crop yield and or weather and can occur at any time throughout the season.

Workers that qualify may be required to operate Agriculture Machinery or Equipment.

Special Requirements

This type of work, involves working conditions that require tremendous stamina, a high level of physical activity in cold or extremely hot conditions in direct sunlight and in adverse weather such as rain. The work requires a high level of physical conditioning. Due to the type of work involved, there is a Probationary Period of five (5) days beginning with the first day of employment, to show possession of the requisite physical strength and endurance to perform this type of work.