Field Worker

Job description

Organic Ground Crew Harvest: Workers will perform duties associated with and directly 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. Distinguish quality and ripeness is required during picking; place in tray/packing containers in field ranging from 8/1 lbs., 4x2 lbs. containers in the field. Packing for fresh market and freezing/juicing may be done simultaneously or a combination of picking different fruit sizes for different packing. Pickers will work on Organic Strawberry Field Only.

Plant Cleaning in Organic ONLY: Employees will be performing the following tasks: cutting of runners or lateral roots on Organic and conventional plant bed, weeding (long handled hoe), cleaning of old and new vegetative growth on plant bed, dropping damaged fruit. Workers will be using both hands, pruning shears or some other type of tool to perform task.

Engage in EFI (Equitable Food Initiative) meetings and or any function related to EFI as employees would like to participate. Meetings are held monthly and one representative from each crew voluntarily attends.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor. In the event that an employee is injured while on the job, the Company will provide a temporary work assignment that will be as closely related to the job duties described herein, while the employee recovers from a work-related illness which meets with physician’s clearance to return to work under specific limitations. The work assignment will not be a permanent position, it will be temporary to accommodate the injured worker under doctor’s restrictions and time period that may differ from the heavy field work described within.
Quality Assurance Pre-Cooling 
 
Quality Assurance supports the foreman in all duties related to harvest, packaging materials and personnel, including that all equipment is maintained clean and safe. More specifically, the employees will perform the following duties: 
 
• They inspect fruit based on the quality procedure and attached to our standards and guidelines; the number of pallets inspected is based on volume. 
• Enter an electronic tablet inspection data (field, variety, rancher, defects, etc...), using a quality application which feeds our database (Streamline) 
• Ensure the correct data in the case of types of packaging, types of labelling, types of orders, etc. 
• They report to Ranch Supervisor and or Operation Manager any critical detail in the fruit, packing material, in the process of pre-cooling and conservation of the fruit 
• Send a summary (informal) to the day of the general conditions of the fruit to keep us in team informed 
• Make a decision of the fruit after having quality percentages out of range. 
• Inspect packed boxes to guaranteed quality standards are being followed and met by each picker, with the number of clamshells to be inspected decided by Harvest Supervisor 
• Weigh baskets to meet minimum weight requirements 
• Work as a team with other Quality Inspectors 
• Treat employees with respect at all times 
• Clean and sanitize inspection table as specified by Supervisor/Food Safety Director 
• Check for stickers that the Julian Date is printed correctly and accordingly placed on the box 
• Work as a team with others to make sure to provide a safe, clean and fun work environment 
• Work independently as well predicting/thinking ahead of what needs to be done 
 
Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties.  Such work will be temporary and unsubstantial agricultural labor

Special Requirements

1 month of strawberry harvest experience. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing. Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.