Farm Worker

Full Time: Yes

Number of Workers Requested: 48

Job Duties: Crops/Commodities: potatoes. This job requires a minimum of 3 months of verifiable agricultural experience working in a agricultural packing operation or vegetable farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks including agricultural field work, field crop production and harvesting activities associated with production of vegetables. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Workers will engage in sorting, packing and harvesting Sterman Masser potatoes. Tasks include starting and stopping the potato washing machine, riding on and grading potatoes on a potato harvester, laying and picking up irrigation pipe, cutting and preparing potato seed, separating potatoes and removing stems, repairing field wooden and plastic potato storage boxes, washing and sanitizing seed potato storage boxes, washing and sanitizing refrigerated potato storages and cleaning fields by picking up missed potatoes and rocks into buckets. Disinfect storage bins, tools, trucks and other equipment frequently during cutting. Workers must be capable of standing and/or sitting at assigned work station on/off moving equipment and handling motion of line to visually inspect product as it rolls past on roller table. Must look at product being picked out. Remove rotten potatoes, stones, and corn stalk stubs or field debris from harvested potatoes. Ensure proper handling of potatoes. Handle them as if they were eggs. Do not throw, drop, or tamper with product – this can result in dismissal. Develop understanding of food safety as it pertains to the condition of the potatoes being packed. Maintain communication with managers and supervisors with regard to significant changes in quality of potatoes or amount of field debris. Notify Wash Bay Supervisor of any problems with product as soon as possible. Workers will keep work and surrounding areas neat including sweeping, wiping down machinery, wiping roller table surfaces, or any surfaced used for products, with water and cleaner and disposing of trash. As needed, assist in other areas of field preparation, harvesting, or field crop packaging. Be aware of usage of machinery such as safety practices, stop button, controls, etc. Change chains as needed. Those who are qualified may be required to drive pickup trucks and small transportation vehicles. Work is to be done for long periods of time. Workers will assist in hand loading trucks with product weighing a minimum to 50 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet for long periods of time. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Workers must be able to sit, stand, reach, kneel, climb, bend, squat, push/pull up to 50 pounds, and lift 50+ to 100 pounds with assistance. Sorts and places product with weights of up to 50 pounds onto pallets according to a predetermined sequence such as size, type, style or product role. May include restacking of pallets, securing or wrapping of pallets for shipping according to customer specifications, including use of the automatic wrapper. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers’ ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 10 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Saturday work required. Employer requires all newly-hired employees to take and pass an employer-paid drug test before starting work. Drug test not required for prospective applicants prior to hiring decision.

Job Classification: 45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Experience Required: Yes

Months of Experience Required: 3

Special Requirements: This job requires a minimum of 3 months of verifiable agricultural experience working in a agricultural packing operation or vegetable farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks including agricultural field work, field crop production and harvesting activities associated with production of vegetables. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required. Employer-paid post-hire criminal background check required. Must be willing to work 1st and 2nd shift hours as assigned by the employer.

Number of Hours Per Week: 48

Work Schedule (Start/End time): 6:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.