Farmworkers And Laborers, Crops

Job description

Cutters: For workers who are assigned as cutters, the supervisor on duty will explain what the warehouse is asking for that particular day, including the requested size, weight, and sugar level of the Watermelon. Workers are then expected to follow the instructions of the supervisor in the field - cutting any other type of watermelon that was instructed by the supervisor/employer is NOT allowed. Care must be taken to only cut watermelons meeting standard of "Quality 1 Watermelon," which is considered to be at appropriate stage of ripeness, not rotten, bitten by animals, and otherwise free of defects, etc. Cutters who do not meet the quality standard will be given 2 documented warnings, after which time they will be reassigned to another task.

Watermelon Loaders and Unloaders: The level of the product carried may vary depending on the trailer used (the length and height of trailer). The crew supervisor will mark how high the fruit should go on that specific trailer. For the workers who are assigned in the loading area, their task will be to load the watermelon previously chosen and cut ONLY by the cutters (as previously specified). Loaders are not allowed to cut watermelons from the ground or load any watermelon that has not been previously picked and cut by the authorized cutter. Loaders should not hit or damage the watermelon when they are being loaded into the trailer. Damaged watermelons may lead the warehouse to reject a percentage of the product on the trailer, and watermelons in poor condition will be downgraded to Watermelon # 3, which will result in reduced value. Loaders will be told how full to fill each trailer and carefully instructed to avoid overloading trailers in a manner that could lead to damaged product or unsafe trailer weight. A supervisor will always be near each trailer to provide instructions. Workers assigned to sorting will unload, classify, and pack melons as assigned.

Warehouse/Packing shed: Workers will sort and pack watermelons according to the specifications given by the supervisor each day. Workers must exercise care to avoid damaging or bruising the fruit. Workers will unload trailers at the packing shed and place fruit onto a conveyer belt to grade, sort, and then pack 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 boxes by hand. Filled boxes and cartons are then stacked carefully by prescribed pattern and height onto pallets, then secured. Workers responsible for in-field grading and discarding of poor quality, rotting and/or overripened produce. Workers responsible for cleaning work area.

May also perform harvesting duties such as irrigation, weeding, clearing, maintenance related to the melon harvest.

Special Requirements

Work is to be done for long periods of time in the field, when plants may be wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers ability to perform the job. Workers must be able to perform the required work with or without reasonable accommodations.