Tomato Field Worker

Number of Workers Requested:  115

This position will involve many of the jobs required to harvest tomatoes, including post-harvest and clean-up work. Tomato Picker: Wash bucket in preparation of harvest; Enter the harvest block after truck and trailer harvest unit is in position; Hand-pick the instructed sized tomato by detaching from plant, removing all stems and placing into a 25-pound bucket; Ensure unripe tomatoes are not picked; Remove unwanted substances during harvesting; Carry bucket to truck and trailer near the field and hand the bucket to the tomato dumper; Tomato Dumper: Qualifying workers may perform duties of a tomato dumper, which is a physicall demanding position; Climb on to a metal dumping stand/platform that is about 4 feet off the ground and is hooked on the edge of a gondola. Stand on dump stands and take buckets of tomatoes from harvesters repeatedly throughout the day. Workers will gently empty the buckets into the gondola. Ensure that the quality standards of tomatoes are met by the harvest crew and if necessary enforce quality standards. Tomato dumper may on average handle 1800 to 2700 buckets full of tomatoes during a typical workday. Farm Equipment Operator: Qualifying workers may operate specialized tractor machinery after undergoing several hours of safety training and passing a hands-on tractor driving exam. Qualifying workers must demonstrate willingness, basic knowledge of driving a farm tractor and ability to operate agricultural machinery in a safe manner. Coordinate, direct, follow directions and understand the harvest operation. Operate farm equipment in a proficient manner forward and backward with a tomato trailer attached. Sit for long periods of time. Work in conjunction with other farm equipment operators. Climb on to 8-10 feet high farm equipment and/or trailer and sometimes into the gondola from a metal dumping stand/platform when needed throughout the workday. Must take in the empty and pull the full gondolas out of the harvest field. Attach and detach the farm equipment from the trailer. Operate breaks, gears, pedals, reading gauges and steering controls while driving. Refuel and maintain tractor operations to ensure optimum performance. Conduct and document daily maintenance check prior to operating the tractor. Exercise good safety practices while operating around other farm equipment and workers in the field at all times. Workers may also engage in other agricultural labor duties that relate to the cultivation of tomatoes. Work takes place in outdoor environment. Usually, long days may be worked when weather or crop conditions are right. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Must be able to tolerate hot and cool temperatures, pests, weeds, grasses and allergens. The employer will provide all necessary equipment without cost to the worker. The use of protective clothing and footwear is required, such as pants, closed-toe shoes or boots (no sandals), masks, hats, gloves, shirts with protective sleeves, and jackets. Workers must follow all health and safety protocols, safety signs, directives and safety training. Comply with requirements for the use of Personal Protective equipment and safely use any hand tools provided by the employer.