Farmworker And Laborers

Job description

The farm work position includes duties associated with the pruning, thinning, picking, spraying and packing of peaches. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. It also includes making important decisions based on size, coloring, and ripeness according to prescribed standards.

This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team-based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase and consume the fresh produce grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the farm.

Orchard Maintenance: Workers will be responsible for general orchard maintenance. They will rake up debris from the land such as sticks, straw, etc. They will be responsible for the removal of old and unproductive trees. They must take care to not damage or destroy other trees or property in the area. Workers involved in orchard maintenance may be required to operate sprayers, lay irrigation pipe, repair and maintain drip system, hoe trees, girdle, spread fertilizer, pick up roots and limbs, strip suckers or unwanted growth from trees, dig root suckers, knock fruit off trees, use hand sprayers, remove vines and strap and tie fruit trees. Trunk spraying by use of required sprayers. All required personal protective equipment issued new on a daily basis.

Tractor Operation During Field Operations: During picking, limb hauling, root hauling and hand fertilizer application, workers may be required to drive a tractor pulling a wagon through the field or between fields incidental to the job being performed. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the tractor before driving the tractor. Tractors should be driven in a manner to protect operator, other workers, products, trees, crops, and equipment. Repeated failure to obey safety requirements and operating instructions may result in termination.

Packing Operations:
Peaches from the field are brought to the packing facility by tractor or by tractor trailer truck depending on the location of the orchard. Forklifts will be used to move the produce from the unloading location to the packing facility. The peaches are run through the hydro-cooler and then loaded on the dumper that takes them to the grading tables. Graders remove any peaches not suitable for shipping. The peaches move to the fillers. Boxes are filled and moved to the loading dock. The peaches are loaded on outgoing trucks via forklifts or placed in cold storage coolers. All required personal protective equipment is issued new on a daily basis. Workers may be required to operate forklifts during field operations as an incidental. Before any worker is required to operate a forklift, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation. Workers will be required to operate forklifts according to instructions and in a manner that protects the operator, other workers and equipment. Repeated failure to obey operating and safety instructions may result in termination.

Special Requirements

Employer may conduct drug/alcohol testing post-employment and at the employer's expense.

Employer may conduct criminal background checks post-employment and at the employer's expense.