Farmworker Diversified

Job description

Sweet Corn Pullers: Workers will manually harvest sweet corn by hand and machine. Corn harvesting will be performed manually in crews on approximately 24 pullers. Workers will be pulling sweet corn off the stalk and tossing into a metal bin. Workers will walk behind, in front of bin pulled by a tractor. Workers must keep up with the metal bin as it moves slowly through the field at a speed ranging from ½ mile to one mile per hour. Corn is harvested in the early morning hours starting before daylight, while temperatures are cooler. This ensures that the sugar content of the corn is higher and provides a better-quality product. A generator powered lighting system is used during early morning hours. Workers will avoid harvesting ears of corn with discolored husks, unacceptable shanks (longer than 6 inches) or visible worn or damaged shanks. Sweet corn must be harvested by pulling down while bending and reaching to select mature ears. Workers must carefully select ears of corn of correct size and maturity and toss into bin. Workers will assist in Good Agricultural Practices polices. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended to minimize contact with the plants and thereby reduce the exposure to cuts and scrapes. Gloves are recommended when working with wooden crates. General Clean-up of Worksite Property and Housing for Harvesting Workers: Workers on physical work restrictions or when harvesting work is not available may be required to perform miscellaneous clean-up work on worksite property, on structures utilized in the operation, and on housing for harvesting workers. Such clean-up activities include debris, weed, and vine removal; irrigation repair; ditch digging; housing and structure cleaning and repair; and general worksite clean-up as required. Workers will be paid the highest of the adverse effect wage rate, the prevailing wage rate, or the applicable minimum wage rate for time spent performing such clean-up work.

Farm Equipment Operation: During Field Operations: Workers will be required to operate tractors and other farm equipment during field operations as an incidental activity in the production of crops. Before any worker is required to operate any farm equipment, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation of tractor. Workers must notify supervisor of any mechanical issues. Workers will be required to operate tractors according to instructions and in a manner, that protects the operator, other workers, trees, crops, and equipment. Repeated failure to obey operating and safety instructions may result in termination.

Before moving their assigned tractor in the far, the operator will complete a pre-trip inspection of the tractor, including adding engine fluid, changing the oil, checking brakes and tires, and cleaning filters. Once the snap bean is cultivated and sweet corn crop handpicked and deposited into the field cart that is moved by the tractor to a location within the growing field for loading. The operator is not hauling off the farm. They are moving carts by tractor to a location for loading. At the end of the shift, the tractor driver will make sure that the tractor is clean and ready for the next worker

Special Requirements

Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.