Field Workers, Citrus Shed, Citrus Forklift Drivers

Foothill Packing Inc; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Full time

Job summary

Foothill Packing Inc in Arizona seeks diligent field workers to harvest Citrus, Dates and Olives, including forklift driver roles in the Citrus Shed. You will work from the ground or on elevated platforms, using hand tools and safety gear to meet color and size requirements.

This seasonal role requires lifting up to 50 lbs, climbing ladders, and following supervisor instructions. Work conditions include varying weather and dusty environments; strict adherence to safety and company rules is

Qualifications

• Must have 1 month work experience in citrus or dates field work, written verification required.
• Lift up to 50 pounds frequently and use hand tools.

Responsibilities

• Harvest citrus, olives, and dates by color and size.
• Operate ladder and baskets/platforms safely.
• Use shears to cut fruit and place into sacks.
• Perform pruning and hoeing around trees with hand tools.
• Maintain irrigation channels and clean fields as instructed.
• Follow supervisor directions and safety rules.

Skills

Stamina for heavy field work

Outdoor work in various weather

Safety-conscious

Education

1 month citrus/date field experience

Tools

Hand shears

Pruning loppers

Long-handled hoes

Cutting knives

Job description

Field Workers (Citrus, Dates, and Olives), Citrus Shed, and Citrus Forklift Drivers

Heavy labor of harvesting Citrus, Olives and Dates as per color and size requirements. Climbing regular and 3-point ladder as needed to pick fruit. Employees will be using proper shears for picking citrus. Cutting, not pulling, the citrus with hand shear; putting fruit into bag sack, carried on the front of the body, with straps around the shoulder and back for support. Sack can weigh up to 50 lbs. The sack is then emptied into bin in a manner instructed by supervisor. This is repeated until the bin is full. Employees will need to walk around the tree, under the tree, and inside the tree and from a ladder to pick the appropriate fruit. Employees will be wearing safety protection, hard hats, gloves, protective sleeves, knee pads, and eye protection. Employees will be pruning and hoeing citrus, date, and olive trees, using both hands pruning shears, pruning loppers and long handled hoes. Employees will be expected to follow the direction and techniques specific to various trees from the supervisor. Employees will be planting citrus. Start times vary depending on the weather (fog or heavy dew). Fruit cannot be picked until it is dry on the outside of the fruit. Performs maintenance in and around the ranch such as cleaning and repairing irrigation canals, weeding, and thinning with a long handle hoe around trees and irrigation valves, and trash removal.

Tree Work: All tree (Citrus, Date Palms/Olive Trees) work & 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. Employees in basket/platform are required to wear safety harnesses.

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.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must have 1 month work experience working in citrus or dates field work as defined in this application. Written verification required.
• Specific requirements include lifting to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including cutting knives, shears, and long handled hoes.
• Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops.
• Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc.
• Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc.
• Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively.
• Must be able to climb ladders and not be afraid of heights.
• No smoking, alcohol, firearms in fields or housing.
• Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

Work Conditions

Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to sun, mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, wet, humid, warm, and dry and other natural elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects, and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays. The employer will comply with all worker protection standards and re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable worker protection standards and re-entry times.

Daily individual work assignments will be made by, and at the sole discretion of, the Company as the needs of the harvesting operation dictate. Workers will be assigned to specific worksites by the company. Workers are expected to assist in maintaining work areas and company property in a neat and clean condition by not littering. Lunch must be eaten in the assigned area(s) away from the employees work site and accordance to company Food Safety policies.

Workers will be expected to comply with all provisions of this Clearance Order and the Companys work rules, policies and procedures, and to perform all assigned tasks in a professional and efficient manner.

All food and safety rules and instructions must be meticulously observed throughout the workday. All Foothill Packing rules and policies must be followed, to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of this Clearance Order and/or the U.S. Department of Labors H-2A regulations.

Citrus Packing Shed - Perform pre-grading activities, including operating bin dump and leveling citrus fruit in bins to prevent over-filling. Remove and discard waste prior to ...