Harvesters

Job description

All work is performed in the field and on the farm.
General Labor – Weeding using long-handled hoes, transplanting by hand, runner cutting with small hand knife, plant thinning, ranch maintenance, pulling plastic and drip tape, cleaning of old and new foliage growth on plant beds. Plant beds will be categorized at “medium,” or “high,” according to the volume of runners and foliage on plant bed. Land prep will also be needed, installation of pipes using their hands to unload off trailer and connecting them on the ground as needed. Drip tape will be installed using a tractor and an implement, where they will follow behind the tractor walking with a shovel and mount piles of soil to detain tape from flying off the beds.

Brussels Sprouts – Field workers will be harvesting fresh brussels sprouts. They will handpick brussels sprouts and use buckets while bent at the waist. Once full, they will walk their bucket and dump into the sorting machine’s conveyer belt to pick out any trash/unwanted leaves or foliage. Sorting machine’s consists of preparing and sorting product before it hits the packing conveyor to complete assembly into carton or totes. The process is repeated. Workers are responsible for cleaning of equipment.
Field workers will also harvest Brussels sprouts using a harvest machine. This machine will also require the sorting machine used in handpicked practices. The harvest machines require the worker to use a machete to cut entire stalk of plant and toss onto conveyor of machine. Workers on top of machine will insert stalks into chamber where the vegetable is detached from stalk and goes through a conveyor belt onto the sorting machine to prepare for final packing into carton or totes or bulk bins. The process is repeated. Workers are responsible for cleaning of equipment.

Broccoli – Field worker will harvest fresh broccoli. Cut and pack fresh broccoli from field. Cutting is done by using hands and a hand knife, and the use of a harvest machine. While bending at the waist, knife is used to cut product from plant/root and trims any excess to prepare for packing in cartons or totes. The process is repeated, and the worker is responsible for the cleaning of any harvest tools and equipment.

Cabbage – Field worker will harvest fresh cabbage. Cut and pack fresh cabbage from field. Cutting is done by using hands and a hand knife, and the use of a harvest machine. While bending at the waist, knife is used to cut product from plant/root and prepare for packing in cartons, totes, or bins. The process is repeated, and the worker is responsible for the cleaning of any harvest tools and equipment.

Cauliflower – Field worker will harvest fresh cauliflower. Cut, bag, and pack fresh cauliflower from field. Cutting is done by using hands and a hand knife, and the use of a harvest machine. While bending at the waist, knife is used to cut product from plant/root and trims any outer trimmings to prepare for packing in cartons or totes. The process is repeated, worker is responsible for the cleaning of any harvest tools and equipment.

Celery – Field worker will harvest fresh celery. Cut, bag, and pack fresh celery from field. Cutting is done by using hands and a hand knife, and the use of a harvest machine. While bending at the waist, knife is used to cut product from plant/root and trims any outer trimmings to prepare for packing in cartons or totes. The process is repeated, worker is responsible for the cleaning of any harvest tools and equipment.

Cilantro – Field worker will harvest fresh cilantro. Cut and pack fresh spinach from field and into boxes. This is handpicked using a hand knife, while bending at the waist, removing leaves from stem/root, they will hand cut a bunch, wrap individual bunches with twist ties, and pack into box. Box is filled up and loaded onto produce trailer. Process is repeated, and the worker is responsible for the cleaning of any harvest tools and equipment.

See Add. C

Special Requirements

Workers must have at least one month of experience in harvest or cutting experience in one or more of the harvested commodities listed in this job order. Specific requirements include lifting up to 25 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.

See Addendum C.