- Full Time:
- Yes
- Number of Workers Requested:
- 32
- Job Duties:
- Harvest, grade, and field pack blackberries by hand. Walk through assigned row while bending and reaching to pick ripe blackberries by hand without bruising or damaging the fruit or bush. Workers must use care to pick bushes clean of all berries of the correct color and size that are suitable for shipment to fresh fruit markets, as instructed by their supervisor. Green or red berries must not be picked. Blackberries will be picked, graded, and packed into clam shell containers according to supervisors' instructions ensuring that there are no leaks. Once clamshells are full, workers will place them into boxes and carry full boxes to trailers in the fields at the end of the rows where fruit is inspected for quality and weight. Blackberries may also be harvested into buckets which are then carried to the end of the rows for inspection and weighing. Each bucket will net 30 lbs. each. Blackberries for fresh fruit markets must not be picked when wet. Workers must continuously check harvested berries when placing into clamshells or buckets. Defective and low-quality fruit will not be accepted and must be discarded. Defective berries include, but are not limited to those that are green, red, white, or leakers. Buckets and trays will be inspected to ensure berries are free of defects, and if accepted, workers will receive a ticket for each completed container. Workers must harvest fruit of desired size, ripeness and use care when harvesting not to damage berries. Clean fields when harvest activities are complete. Workers will walk down rows, bending to prune and remove floricanes that had produced fruit. Primocanes will be left unharmed by the removal process. Pruned canes will be piled in row middles. Long sleeve shirts, pants and gloves are recommended when harvesting and pruning to reduce skin irritation and scratches caused by thorns, branches, and leaves. Hoe fields and weed crops. Workers with a valid license and doctors' certificate may transport other workers and be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honeybees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job.
Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason. 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. Work will begin daily between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless delayed by weather or fruit ripening. Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.
- Job Classification:
- 45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse