Field Workers

Job description

Little Gems and Tuscan Heads are harvested in the field.  Cut, bag, pack, and load fresh lettuce in the field.  Cutting is done by kneeling on beds next to a machine or without a machine.   Using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the employee cuts the head from the roots and trims the outer leaves from the head to prepare it to be packed into a carton or tote.  The process is repeated.  Worker is responsible for cleaning of equipment and maintenance of yard. 

Field worker to harvest romaine & romaine hearts.  Cut, core, bag, pack, and load fresh lettuce in the field.  Cutting is done on harvesting machine by using hands and cutting/coring knife.  Using a harvesting hand knife and bending at the waist, the employee cuts the head from the roots and trims the outer leaves from the head to prepare it to be packed into a carton, tote or bulk bin.  The process is repeated.  Worker is responsible for cleaning of equipment and maintenance of yard. 

Machine set up includes: Check machine for water and diesel; Put sticker on bags; Supply cartons for the day and put on the machine; Open or close machine; Put machine where crew will start; Move trailer. Move Machine.  Drive Tractor.  

Cal Van Driver Specifications: 

1. Employee may drive Cal Van over the road. 

2. Employee picks up workers from different housing sites/pick up points and takes them to an assigned work site and at the end of the day takes them back to the housing site/pick up point. 

3. In order to drive a Cal Van, Employees must possess valid driver’s license (state issued) and must be able to pass Class B Physical exam and register as an FLCE driver. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the California Driver’s License, Class B Physical Exam, and registration as an FLCE driver (if any).  

All employees in this position (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license (DL) and register as an FLCE driver on a voluntary basis.  The DL and FLCE Certificate are not a pre-hire job requirement.  No job applicant will be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL or FLCE Certificate at the time of application and/or hiring.   Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will be terminated for failure to obtain a DL or FLCE Certificate. 

CalVan drivers may be H-2A or corresponding domestic workers.  The employer assures that employees who drive the CalVans are compensated for their time driving.  CalVan drivers perform MSPA and related paperwork (i.e., logging) as required by law which they are compensated for.  The CalVan driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform harvesting job duties when not driving.  Drivers pick up workers from the housing sites/pick up points and drop them off at the worksite.  At the end of the workday, the CalVan driver takes the workers back to the housing sites/pick up points.  Drivers are also responsible, during the workday, for filling the vehicle with gasoline and keeping it clean. The employer assures that drivers are paid the AEWR for actual driving time, processing CalVans paperwork, trips to the gas station, and cleaning the vehicle.

Special Requirements

Minimum Job Qualifications:



1 month of experience in harvest of any of the commodities listed.

Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.