SeasonalJobs.dol.gov

Job Description

Full Time:

Yes

Number of Workers Requested:

57

Job Duties:

Perform manual and mechanized labor to harvest, grade, sort and load watermelons using hand tools. During the cutting process, a farm worker walks in a designated area selecting mature watermelons to be harvested by sight only. Once a watermelon has been selected for harvest, the cutter will sever the watermelon from the vine with a knife and place it in the designated area. The selection of mature watermelons to be harvested is based on appearance only considering the variances in shape, size, weight, and external color while also considering other factors such as location of vine, age of crop, number of times crop has been cut, growing conditions of crop, as well as variety of watermelons. Once the watermelon is severed from the vine, cutters determine the grade or class of the watermelon and discard any watermelons with defects which render them unmarketable. During the loading process, a farm worker walks in a designated area while lifting preselected watermelons, then pitches the watermelons to another farm worker who catches the watermelons and pitches them to another farm worker or gently places them in the designated area or transport vehicle. Watermelons are unloaded and packed by hand using aid of conveyor belts and sizing machines. In the packing process, watermelons are unloaded from harvest transport vehicle where employees lift watermelons from harvest vehicle and pass to another employee who gently places the watermelon on the in feed conveyer. The watermelon then travels into the packing facility where it is graded by hand and disbursed to the correct packing station by the sizing machine. An employee then lifts the fruit from the sizing station and gently places watermelons in bin while assuring count and pack layout for each bin is correct for their sizing station. Erecting boxes, placing pallets at stations and placing boxes at stations is a duty necessary to keep production flowing and is part of the packing process. Duties also include field and shed sanitation. Workers will irrigate and water seedlings and crops. As a minor activity, workers will tend to the crop, may plant crop, and may operate tractors. All job activities are required to be done cautiously as not to damage growing crops or product. Workers are required to practice Good Agricultural Practices Policies. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, 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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. 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 Schedule: During the harvest season, the employer will offer 2 shifts per 24 hours: (Shift 1) 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Shift 2) 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break Monday through Saturday. TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a 2 day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the 2 day introductory period if the worker's performance fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Job Classification:

45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

No

Special Requirements:

Walk, bend, stoop, push and pull for prolonged periods of time. Pitch, catch, lift, carry and load up to 50 pounds repetitively. Work in unfavorable conditions such as high temperatures, wet or dry/dusty conditions and general summer time adversity. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.

Number of Hours Per Week:

42

Work Schedule (Start/End time):

8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Employer Information

Company Name:

Wiggins Watermelons, LLC

Location:

Caldwell, TX 77836

Telephone Number:

+19792721076

Worksite

Address:

7979 FM 50, Caldwell, TX 77836

Job Order Details

ETA Case Number:

H-300-23093-896516

Multiple Worksites:

No

Date Posted:

4/21/2023

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