Harvest Technician

Little Leaf Farms; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Leaf Farms is seeking a Harvest Technician to support efficient crop harvesting, gutter washing, and sanitation. The role emphasizes operating and maintaining equipment, monitoring crop conditions, and ensuring safe, clean working areas throughout production cycles.

Ideal candidates will be comfortable working in varying climates, able to lift up to 50 pounds, and willing to work weekends and holidays as needed.

Qualifications

• Physically demanding tasks with lifting up to 50 lb.
• Ability to work in varying climates and long shifts.
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain harvesting equipment.
• Monitor crop conditions and report to QA staff.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations while operating machinery.
• Clean and sanitize gutters prior to re-seeding, disposing of materials properly.
• Manually remove lettuce, root, and soil from gutters before washing.
• Troubleshoot and assist in maintenance of gutter washing systems.
• Sanitize and maintain cleanliness in all processing and gutter washing areas.
• Collaborate with greenhouse management to coordinate harvesting and gutter washing tasks.
• Participate in training programs to enhance harvesting techniques and equipment knowledge.

Skills

Physical stamina

Heavy lifting

Flexible hours

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Greenhouse machinery

Job description

The Harvest Technician plays a vital role in the agricultural production process, responsible for the efficient and safe harvesting of crops, as well as cleaning and sanitizing soiled gutters prior to re-seeding. This position requires a keen understanding of agricultural machinery, gutter washing procedures, and the ability to work in varying climate conditions. The ideal candidate will contribute to maximizing yield, ensuring product quality, and maintaining cleanliness in both harvesting and gutter washing areas.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate and maintain harvesting equipment.
• Monitor crop conditions and report to QA staff, as required.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices while operating machinery.
• Clean and sanitize soiled gutters prior to re-seeding, ensuring proper disposal of materials such as lettuce, roots, and soil.
• Manually remove lettuce, root, and soil material from gutters before washing, ensuring proper flow of materials to the washing area.
• Troubleshoot and assist in the maintenance of gutter washing systems, ensuring proper functioning to avoid backups or jams.
• Sanitize and maintain cleanliness in all processing and gutter washing areas.
• Collaborate with greenhouse management and other team members to ensure effective coordination of both harvesting and gutter washing tasks.
• Participate in training programs to enhance skills and knowledge of harvesting techniques, equipment, and gutter washing procedures.

Employees who complete 90 days of successful employment in this position will be provided a $0.50 increase.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including consistently lifting up to 50 pounds and repetitive manual cleaning tasks.
• Ability to work in varying climate conditions for extended periods.
• Physical stamina to work long shifts, including completing repetitive tasks without losing quality.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

PREFERRED

• High school diploma or equivalent; agricultural background preferred.
• Previous experience operating greenhouse machinery is highly desirable.
• Experience in sanitation procedures and gutter washing is a plus.
• Ability to troubleshoot and assist in minor maintenance of both harvesting and gutter washing equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.