Field Workers, Ag Equip Operators, Forklift Drivers

Foothill Packing Inc; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Foothill Packing Inc in Yuma, Arizona is seeking workers for tree work, harvest, and related agricultural tasks. Responsibilities include pruning date palms, olive trees, and citrus trees, as well as operating forklifts for various tasks. You will be working under the supervision of a foreman to ensure work quality.

Candidates should be able to lift heavy objects and work at heights, with a focus on detail during operations. Experience in operating agricultural equipment is a plus.

Qualifications

• Ability to work on uneven ground at heights of up to 55 feet.
• Basic knowledge of operating agricultural equipment.
• Strong attention to detail for quality tree work.

Responsibilities

• Assist in pruning and hoeing citrus, date, and olive trees.
• Perform harvest tasks and identify fruit based on color and texture.
• Check and repair irrigation systems.

Skills

Tree Pruning

Lifting Heavy Objects

Forklift Operation

Weeding

Tools

Pruning Shears

Forklift

Shovel

Job description

Tree Work

All tree (Date Palms/Olive Trees, and Citrus Trees) work requires either working from the ground while standing or walking on uneven ground, or working from a basket/platform that is raised by a forklift or reach lift that will be raised off the ground that could be as high as 55 feet off the ground. Employees will be pruning and hoeing citrus, date and olive trees, using both hands pruning shears, pruning loppers and long handled hoes.

Specific to Date Palms - De-thorn job is done by removing thorns from palms with curved knife while standing on the ground or in a raised platform, by moving the knife along the edges of the frond removing the thorns. Pollinating is done by removing the husk of the flower and tying a string around the strands at the middle of the flower, and possibly removing a portion of the flower, if necessary, applying date pollen by hand with a small rubber pollinating tool. Cutting Centers/ Strands/ Thinning is done by removing the center of the bunches with a hand pruner, and selectively removing dates or cutting strands to length. Tying for direction is done by choosing the natural direction of the bunch/fruit arm and bending it without breaking, and then tying it to support the weight of the fruit arm. The employee will insert metal rings carefully between the strands of the fruit bunch and then applying a fruit bag over the bunch while securing the bag to the bunch. Closing of the bag is done prior to harvest using twine or Velcro on the bag.

All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of work.

The employer attests that any thinning, hoeing, weeding, or hand-weeding work will be performed in compliance with 8 Cal. Code Regulations Section 3437, 3456(b-c).

Harvest

All (Date Palms/Olive Trees, and Citrus Trees) harvest requires either working from the ground while standing or walking on uneven ground, or working from a basket/platform that is raised by a forklift or reach lift that will be raised off the ground that could be as high as 55 feet off the ground. Harvest is done by identifying fruit by color, and texture and picking accordingly and placing fruit into trays that are then moved to the field trailers or pallets. Removing is done by using a knife and cutting the twine and taking off bag. Bags are then counted/folded and put on pallets for storage. Fruit arms are then cut off using a knife.

All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of work.

Groundwork, Planting, and Cleaning

Groundwork Planting Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus Trees is done by digging a hole with a shovel and placing Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus that could weigh up to 50 lbs from a potted container into the hole and replacing soil.

Specific to Date Palms-Cutting Shoots is done by removing shoots on side of palm trees by placing chisel between shoot and tree and hammering the chisel to remove the shoot. Shoots are also removed from the side of the trees by placing a metal bar and prying the shoot off the tree.

Cleaning Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus-Weeding While working on uneven ground, either dig with a shovel, or use a crowbar with a hammer, to remove shoots from base of Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus. Weeding is done with a long-handled hoe, or by hand if necessary.

All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work.

Irrigation

Qualified workers to assist in checking/repairing drip lines, ensuring that every (Date Palms, Olive Trees, & Citrus Trees) has water, pulling occasional weeds, checking pumps, filling out checklist.

All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work.

Agricultural Equipment Operators / Forklift Operators

Under the direction of the foreman/supervisor the driver is responsible for moving platforms/reach and harvest trailers to facilitate either tree work, harvest, or moving of equipment for daily operations. Drivers are to assist in preparing the equipment for immediate field operations, or movement to a new location. Directing Tractor/forklift through the field, pulling trailers or attachments before, during or after all palm tree operations.

Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating tractor/forklift. Required to have basic knowledge of driving a tractor/forklift, must pass tractor/forklift training and demonstrate ability to operate tractor/forklift in a safe manner. Training will be provided by a certified safety team representative.

All jobs are done under the direction of the foreman and supervisor to ensure quality of the work.

Additional Duties

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties such as cleaning up field before during and after harvest, picking up trash, discarding cartons and assisting as safety monitor when equipment is turning in the field to begin a new pass.