Farmworkers, Laborers, Crop

Job description

Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate and harvest melons, tomatoes, cole crops, strawberries and other seasonal vegetables by hand or machine. Operate tractors, vehicles, machinery and farm equipment. Pre-harvest duties include tilling soil, planting, re-planting, cultivating, weeding, using shears, knives and other various cultivation tools. Install or remove items required in plasticulture. Participate in irrigation activities. Roll irrigation line up and place into truck. Pick up plastic and place in front of loader. Attach farm implements, such as a plow, disc and drill to tractor. Install or remove stakes, wire, netting or string. Remove or clean plant debris or vines from ground or trellises. Transplant, weed, thin and prune crops. Prep plants. Set transplants or seeds by hand as directed. Field wash vegetables in a dump tank. Pull weeds. Prune tomatoes. Workers must harvest fruit of desired size and ripeness by hand. Workers must use care when harvesting not to damage or bruise produce. Harvest produce using tools such as knives. Move watermelon vines out of turn rows. In an assembly line, pick up cut watermelon and toss to other worker to place on dry road or to load into bin on trailer to be field packed. On truck, grade and pack produce into boxes or bags according to supervisor's instructions. Assemble cartons, crates and containers. Apply stickers and labels to watermelons and boxes. Grade, sort, select, label, pack and or load harvested product. Load melons onto trucks. Harvest and field pack crops. Stack boxes onto pallets, transport vehicles or trailers. Count and check harvested products. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Clean and maintain containers, materials, and supplies including buckets, gloves and clippers. Clean and maintain all grounds and facilities. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive transportation vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a 2 day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the 2 day introductory period if the worker's performance fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the 2 day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations.

Special Requirements

Three months of farm work experience. Perform prolonged bending, stooping, reaching, walking, lifting, and carrying of 50 lbs. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Must be 18 or older.