Farmworker: Diversified 45-2092.00

Job description

Worker must possess the physical strength and endurance (ability to continue or last) to repeat the harvest process though out the workday, working quickly and skillfully to perform activities assigned during that activity. Workers may not leave trash, or other discarded items in work areas or vehicles but must dispose of such items in provided receptacles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. Allergies to varieties of ragweed, goldenrod, insecticides, related agricultural chemicals, etc., may affect worker’s ability to perform the work described herein.

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.

Workers will harvest, pack, turn vines, weed, lay plastic, transplanting and performing post-harvest clean up.

Watermelon, Pumpkins & Cantaloupe’s: Workers will work in groups of 3-16 workers depending on the job, weather, and field conditions. At harvest, workers will be expected to select the melons based on the standard disclosed to the worker by the supervisor. Workers will walk along rows and cut melons according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity using a knife. Workers will load harvested watermelons onto flatbed truck. Workers may be required to unload watermelons, onto a conveyor belt. Also, the workers will be expected to grade, sort, and place in shipping containers. Workers will also turn the vines of growing melons. Workers may be required to remove weeds by hand or with a hoe during the season. Workers will be required to perform post-harvest field clean up. Workers will pull out plastic and load on to small trailers according to their supervisor’s instructions.

During certain duties, workers may be required to work in teams to accomplish a certain task. When engage in teamwork activities workers must coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish the task.

Properly licenses workers may drive trucks or vehicles to transport workers.

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.

Farm, Field, and Shed Sanitation: All workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors and other farm and shed sanitation duties.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Work begins at assigned time usually shortly after daylight. Work is performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 100 (+) degrees to 30 degrees. Workers will work on their feet in bent, stooped, and crouched positions for long periods of time. Workers will make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists. Workers must be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs. Workers will use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects. These could/will weigh from 30-75 lbs. 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 weeding. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months experience hand harvesting a perishable crop. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. 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.