Farmworker: Diversified (45-2092.00)

Job description

Workers will assist with agricultural services, including but not limited to detasseling, hand pollination, rogueing, hoeing weeds, removing volunteer plants from seed corn production fields, etc.

Corn Detasselling: DURING DETASSELLING NO WORKER WILL BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN WORK WITHOUT THEIR ASSIGNED SAFETY GEAR: Workers will walk along assigned row of seed corn and removes remaining tassels from stalks on both sides of row. Care must be taken to remove tassel completely without damaging stalks. Perform any other duties involved in detasselling and rogueing of seed corn and maintenance of fields and production areas.

Corn Rogueing & Weeding: Workers will walk seed fields to identify and remove rogue plants and discarding them as directed.

Hand-Pollination: Workers will perform general duties associated with hand-pollination and hand harvesting of seed corn including but not limited to: Bagging the tassels, Collecting Pollen, Pollinating and Covering the ears.
Farm, Field and Camp Maintenance: All Workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors and other farm, kitchen and camp cleaning and maintenance.
Working Team leader: Some workers may act as working team leaders. These workers will report to the supervisor. These duties may include monitoring or directing the work of causal seasonal workers.
A Properly licensed worker may be requested to transport workers.
Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities or the packing facility for packing operations.

During certain duties, workers may be required to work in teams to accomplish a certain task. When engaged in teamwork activities workers must coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish the task.
Employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malinger, or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product.
Job specifications can change frequently during the season due to crop or market conditions, even on the same crop. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given by the supervisor for each day’s work. Instructions and general supervision will be provided by the farm owner/supervisor or a designated employee. However, field workers will be expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision.
GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CROPS: Fieldwork begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work is performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 100 (+) degrees to below 35 degrees F. Workers will work on their feet in bent position for long periods of time. Workers will supply their own work clothes. All the tasks in this Job Description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer. Workers may be required to perform work, on the farm, that is incidental to farming the crops listed in the application, such as performing hand cultivation tasks, weeding or hoeing, cleaning and repairing farm buildings, seed beds, racks, grounds, operate and perform general maintenance tractor/farm equipment and vehicles, incidental crop, assist with lunchroom duties, set up and move irrigation pipes and equipment, gardening, weeding and shrubbing, etc.

Special Requirements

Must have three months experience hand harvesting a perishable crop. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.