Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
apples, peaches, nectarines, grapes, cherries, berries and vegetables.
Plant, cultivate and harvest fruits and vegetables. By hand, or using farm equipment, cut, pull, dig, thresh, clean, chop, bag, or bundle harvested crops. Must be able to separate harvested crop according to quality, variety, and other factors in accordance with supervisor instructions. In field, load/unload harvested product into bins or other containers for transport to packing house. Transport products to packing house or storage using mechanized equipment. Load/unload harvested fruits/vegetables or other materials manually or with mechanized equipment such as conveyors, or handtrucks. Use hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, hoes and knives. Plant roots, seeds and bulbs. Spread plastic or other groundcovering. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Till soil. Weed and thin plants. Transplant plants by hand. Stake/tie plants, trellis/prune plants, and set poles and wires for vine plants. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops. Tie vegetables in bunches. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. Prune, thin, pick, fertilize and maintain trees, vine and plants.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

Workers will assist driver with loading, delivery, and unloading of produce. Will also assist with market setup and loading/unloading of produce at stand. Will assist with replenishing of produce inventory as needed.

Workers may be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping, and mopping floors, cleaning equipment and other similar farm sanitation.

This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standards, 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 fruit and produce grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the farm.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary.

Special Requirements

Jobs are offered handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.