Farm Labor

Job description

The farm worker position includes duties associated with the harvesting and packing of watermelons. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 75 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. It also includes making important decisions based on size, coloring, and ripeness according to prescribed standards. This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team-based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase and consume the fresh produce grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the farm.

Job Specifications
Watermelons: Workers will be required to turn watermelon vines from drive rows,
cut ripe melons, and harvest the cut melons. Instruction will be given for each task and standards of performance communicated to worker. Workers will be assigned a row or series of rows and required to select and pick produce according to criteria outlined and demonstrated by managers such as size, coloring, and ripeness. They will be responsible for in-field grading and discarding of poor quality, rotting, and/or over-ripened produce. Workers will gently load the good quality produce into containers, taking care to avoid damage or bruising. Workers will unload containers at the packing shed and place fruit onto a conveyer belt to grade and then pack the fruit into boxes. Workers visually grade harvested produce and remove culls. Workers need to use both hands while grading at all times. Workers pack the graded produce in appropriate containers by hand. Filled boxes and cartons are stacked carefully by prescribed pattern and height onto pallets and secured by netting or tape. Workers may be required to operate forklifts and tractors after having been instructed on how to safely operate said machinery.

Workers may be required to operate farm vehicles and equipment such as trucks, tractors, and forklifts. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the vehicle/equipment before operating. All vehicles should be driven in a manner to protect workers, harvested produce, in-field crops, and equipment. Operators should ensure all equipment is functioning correctly before operating. The use of all necessary PPE and safety equipment including wearing of seatbelt at all times when operating farm equipment is mandatory. Workers may assist with the repair, service, & maintenance of farm equipment including the prep, cleaning, lubrication, assembly, inspection, dismantling of equipment parts.

Farm,Field and Packing Shed Sanitation: Workers may be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, and other similar farm sanitation as part of SOPs and SSOPs within Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Good Handling Practices (GHPs), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for Food Safety. This includes personal hygiene and handling the fruit in the field with an emphasis on food safety, sanitizing all harvesting tools and keeping the fields as clean as possible. Workers may be responsible for pulling plastic, picking up trash, cleaning bins and other similar farm sanitation.