Farm Workers: Harvesters, Machine Operators And Crew Leads

Job description

Workers will perform duties associated with and related to strawberry harvest work, including, but not limited to picking and packing in the field for fresh market and freezing/juicing and punching task.

Harvester Essential Functions:
• Participate in daily morning exercise routine
• Workers are required to distinguish quality and ripeness as indicated by their crew leader;
• Hand pick the product directly from the growing beds onto a harvesting cart;
• Place and organize product in packing containers ranging from 1 lb (eight 1 lb clamshells per box) to 4 lbs (two 4 lb clamshells per box) in the field.
• Upon filling a box, worker will place an identifying label on it, pick it up and carry out of the furrow and place it on a quality checking (QC) station;
• Worker will then pick-up an empty box and containers and return to their harvesting cart to restart the process;
• When required, workers will also harvest product in trays for freezing/juicing. This may be done simultaneously or a combination of picking different fruit sizes for different packing.
• Pickers will work in strawberry fields only.
• Attend weekly safety tailgate meetings

Plant Maintenance Essential Functions:
• Participate in daily morning exercise routines
• Cutting of runners or lateral roots on plant beds;
• Cleaning of old and new vegetative growth on plant bed, dropping damaged fruit;
• Weeding with a long handled hoe;
• Workers will be using both hands, pruning shears or some other type of tool to perform tasks.
• Attend weekly safety tailgate meetings

Strawberry Crew Leader (Foreman)

Essential Functions:
• Always treat every employee, co‐worker, supervisors and visitors with respect and professionalism
• Maintain the required number of employees as indicated by management
• Ensure employees are working efficiently and doing the job as required to maintain safety, food safety,
• production and quality standards
• Safely maneuver vehicles used for harvesting to the production area
• Create a safe work environment for the safety of all Employees
• Direct and supervise the Quality Control (QC) checker and the stacker
• Communicate effectively with the forklift operator and truck driver to ensure product is picked up in a timely
• manner and packing materials are delivered according to needs
• Communicate production, safety, food safety and performance expectations to crew in a clear and concise
• manner
• Take disciplinary action with employees when performance is inadequate
• Re‐enforce company rules and policies
• Ensure workers have the proper training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to perform their job
• Conduct daily morning routine including employee exercises, restroom inspections and heat illness prevention
• provisions such as drinking water and shade are available
• Ensure that all boxes and product are properly accounted for and documented
• Complete all necessary documentation for payroll in an accurate and timely manner
• Accurately document all timekeeping issues such as employees arriving late and/or leaving early, no shows,
• etc.
• Ensure workers get their breaks and meal periods at the set schedules and that these are properly
• documented.
• Complete Safety and Food Safety protocols and documentation in an accurate and timely manner
• Report any work injuries, incidents, equipment damage, health or medical conditions to the Safety team in a
• timely manner
• Conduct weekly tailgate meetings as scheduled by the Safety team
• Possesses a valid driver’s license pursuant to California law in order to be able to drive the company vehicle.
• Drivers will be engaged in daily inspections of transportation security

See Addendum C.

Special Requirements

1 month of strawberry harvesting experience. Must be over the age of 18. Must be able to walk unassisted in rough but even terrain. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops for proper ripeness and maturity. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Must be able to communicate in English or Spanish for training and safety purposes. Work is performed outdoors in open fields and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 40 degrees F to over 90 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described. Must have attention to detail. Ability to produce a quality product at an efficient pace. Ability to understand and follow directions.

See Addendum C.