Field Workers

Job description

All work is performed in the field on the farm.

Harvest Worker:
Employees spot check, sort, stack, fill and load spinach, tender leaf, arugula and spring mix lettuce in the field. Spotting is done by walking in uneven furrows in front of a harvesting platform machine or belt. Under the direction of the field supervisor employees check for any foreign material such as trash and move irrigation pipe from one furrow to another. The harvest machine or belt then cuts produce and transporters it thru a conveyor where employees sort and fill totes and or bins. Once totes, cartons or bins are filled they are pushed on to conveyor belt for loaders to close/cover and stack on the pallet. The cartons or totes for the product are constructed by unfolding and bending the material as designed to form a box. Carton is labeled and marked as required. The process is repeated. The cartons, totes or bins are lifted then stacked onto pallets on the deck of the harvester or trailer. Cartons or totes with product can weigh up to 50 lbs. Empty bins pallets can weigh up to 95 lbs.; a forklift carries the empty bin pallets onto a trailer.

Agricultural Equipment Operator:
Under the direction of the supervisor, the driver is responsible for supplying the machine with packaging materials; assisting in preparing the harvest machine for immediate field operation or movement to new harvest location. Directing tractor/machine through the field; pulling loaded trailers out. Workers will drive, assist and operate various farm equipment to perform farm field preparation such as planting, cultivating, fertilizing, farming and maintaining farms. Will attach and adjust farm implements to tractors such as discs, plows, lasers, rippers, cultivators, listers and planters and will ensure equipment is operating properly at optimum performances. Workers must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operate the tractor, monitor and drive tractors safely and efficiently over difficult terrain and must have sufficient knowledge of tractor mechanics to make simple and minor adjustments and repairs to tractors. Workers will be required to understand and operate GPS operating system. Required to have knowledge of driving a tractor, must pass tractor safety training and demonstrate ability to operate tractor in a safe manner.

Field Sanitation Work (In the field on the farm):
The sanitation worker is responsible for ensuring all harvest equipment is properly cleaned and sanitized daily following standards operating procedures for equipment cleaning. Must be able to read chemical labels or safety data sheets (SDS) to learn how to properly handle chemicals used. Incorporate special or rotational cleaning duties into daily schedules for specialized cleaning or sanitation that might not occur every day. Report any atypical situations in the growing areas to supervisor. This work requires an able bodied person to lift up to 50 lbs., stand, bend, twist, pull, push, reach, climb, overhead work, kneeling, crawling and walking on uneven ground all day, wear clothes and shoes appropriate for working conditions, ability to take instructions and follow them, use safety equipment correctly. Employee, with proper licensing and accepted driving record, may drive the sanitation truck. Required basic knowledge of driving a tractor, forklift and harvesting machines, must pass a tractor, forklift and machine safety training and demonstrate ability to operate the equipment in a safe manner.

Hand Cleaning and Weeding (pellizco):
Under the direction of the field supervisor, field workers look for weeds around crop and in between product seedlings. The worker manually cleans the lot for any unwanted weed on the beds and seedlings. Work requires bending, kneeling, squatting, repetitive hand and wrist movement and walking on uneven ground all day.

See Addendum C.

Special Requirements

One month of experience in field irrigation, field sanitation worker, or agricultural equipment operation or maintenance is required for all positions. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently. Workers must stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds in the course of performing required activities. Must have use of both hands and be able to use hand tools. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons of any sort in the housing or working fields. Ability to communicate in English or Spanish is required for training and safety purposes.

See Addendum C.