Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Potatoes, corn.
Plant, cultivate, and harvest potatoes. Assist with field preparation and harvesting activities. Weed fields by hand or with a hoe. Grade, sort, and field pack potatoes after harvest. Operate potato washing machine, ride on potato harvester. Cut and prepare potato seed. Separate potatoes and remove stems. Repair, maintain, wash, and sanitize potato storage boxes and other storage contains. Clear fields by picking up missed potatoes. Lay irrigation pipe.

Transport potatoes from fields to packing facilities. Load/unload trucks. Forklift operation may be required.

Inspect harvested potatoes on conveyor belt and/or roller table. Remove rotten or defective potatoes and remove debris and other foreign material. Keep all work areas clean by sweeping floors and sanitizing machinery and surface areas.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may transport other workers.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience, preferably handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with production of potatoes. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Workers with clean driving record and/or insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.