Field Workers (citrus,peach,dates) & Citrus Forklift Driver

Job description

Field Workers (Citrus, Peaches, and Dates):

Heavy labor of harvesting citrus, peaches and dates as per color and size requirements. Climbing regular and 3-point ladder as needed to pick fruit by ring size or strip pick, the removal of all fruit. Employees will be using proper shears for picking citrus. Cutting, not pulling, the fruit with hand shear; Putting fruit into fruit sack, which is carried on the front of the body, with straps around the shoulder and back for support. Sack full of fruit can weigh up to 50 lbs. The sack is then emptied into bin in a manner instructed by supervisor. This is repeated until the bin is full. Employees will need to walk around the tree, under the tree, and inside the tree and from a ladder to pick the appropriate fruit. Employees will be wearing safety protection, hard hats, gloves, protective sleeves, knee pads, and eye protection. Employees will be doing irrigation, pruning, shoveling and weeding citrus, date and peach trees, using both hands pruning shears, pruning loppers and long handled hoes. Employees will be expected to follow the direction and techniques specific to various trees from the supervisor. Employees will be planting citrus. Start times vary depending on the weather (fog or heavy dew). Fruit cannot be picked until it is dry on the outside of the fruit. Employees will be removing weeds around various trees using a long-handled hoe.

Citrus Forklift Driver -Under the direction of the foreman/supervisor the citrus forklift driver is responsible for moving platforms/reach and harvest trailers to facilitate either tree work, harvest, or moving of equipment for daily operations. Drivers are to assist in preparing the equipment for immediate field operations, or movement to a new location. Directing forklift through the field, pulling trailers or attachments before, during or after all palm tree operations. Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating forklift. Required to have basic knowledge of driving a citrus forklift, must pass forklift training and demonstrate ability to operate citrus forklift in a safe manner. All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work. Training will be provided by a certified safety team representative.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties such as cleaning and general maintenance of the commodities specified during and after picking up trash, discarding material and assisting as safety monitor when equipment is moving within the ranch locations.

All of the above work requires an able bodied person to lift up to 50 lbs., odd shapes, pull, push, climb, walk on uneven ground all day, be physically flexible to work in/on basket/platform in a tree, dexterity to use knives and scissor like pruners all day, tie different kinds of strings/ ropes with different knots, good eyesight for plant identification and ability to see what to harvest and where to make cuts, good personal hygiene, clothes and shoes appropriate for working in heat/ cold/ outdoors, ability to take instructions and follow them, use safety equipment correctly. If machine operator, driver must safely and carefully operate equipment that they are authorized/trained on in a safe manner.

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 physicians’ 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.

Special Requirements

Must have 3-month work experience working in citrus field work as defined in this application. Written verification required. Specific requirements include lifting to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives, shears and long handled hoes. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. 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. Must be able to climb ladders and not be afraid of heights. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in field or housing.

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