Farm Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor primarily to cut, bundle, and pack greens and broccoli and as a separate activity, load greens and broccoli. Transplant, cultivate, harvest and pack, greens, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, beets, leeks and herbs including cilantro. Workers will cut and pack cabbage separately. Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, shears and knives. Work in groups to harvest crops while being careful not to damage harvested product. Workers will be given an employee number in order to keep up with piece rates. Construct boxes. Pack and load harvested products. Work within an assembly line to pack product. Determine maturity level of greens quickly and consistently by color, feel and size and apply correct defect tolerance, handling and harvest standards as instructed by supervisor. Duties may include tilling soil, weeding, thinning, counting and checking crops. May repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities. Set up and operate irrigation equipment. Clear and maintain irrigation ditches. Operate tractors, tractor drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements and mechanical equipment. Apply pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers to crops. Inform managers of crop progress and identify plants, pests and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Record information about crops, pesticide use, yields or costs. As a minor activity, harvest, grade, and sort squash. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers and be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

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. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer's recruitment period.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable experience cutting greens is required. Requires repetitive bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, sitting, walking and lifting and carrying of up to 60 lbs. Work is in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat, rain and cold. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.