Packers

H2ajobs; Fryeburg (ME); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Transportation and visa-cost support

On-site housing options and meals not,

Job summary

H2ajobs is seeking workers to perform post-harvest potato packing in an indoor facility in Fryeburg, Maine. You will handle loading, packaging, palletizing, and basic production counting in a fast-paced packing line.

Experience in agricultural packing is preferred. Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs, follow safety rules, and wear required PPE. Training will be provided for equipment operation and quality checks.

Qualifications

• 6 months of experience in an agricultural packing operation.
• Work indoors in a post-harvest packing facility.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs.
• Second shift starts at 12:00 PM.
• Follow safety instructions and wear required PPE.
• Ability to read and follow basic production counts.

Responsibilities

• Load potatoes and packaging materials into bagging machines.
• Place filled bags onto pallets.
• Stack packages weighing up to 60 lbs on pallets.
• Operate start/stop controls on bagging/palletizing equipment.
• Inspect for defects and apply labels.
• Record basic production counts.
• Maintain clean and sanitary work areas.
• Shovel or scoop potatoes into machines when needed.

Job description

Crops/Commodities:

potatoes (post-harvest packing only).

Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):

Workers will perform post-harvest agricultural handling of potatoes inside an indoor packing facility. All duties occur after harvest and involve manual loading, feeding, packaging, and palletizing of potatoes and potato products. Workers will:

• Manually load potatoes and packaging materials (bags, boxes, liners) into automated bagging and boxing machines.
• Remove filled bags or boxes from machines and place them onto pallets or designated staging areas.
• Manually stack packaged agricultural product weighing up to 60 lbs to build stable pallets for shipment.
• Operate simple machine controls (start/stop buttons) on automated bagging or palletizing equipment as directed.
• Straighten or adjust stacked packages on pallets to maintain stability.
• Inspect packaging materials and finished packages for visible defects such as holes, tears, or leaks.
• Apply labels or markings to containers or packages using stickers or hand marking tools.
• Record basic production counts such as number of packages completed.
• Clean work areas by sweeping, removing debris, and discarding waste to maintain safe and sanitary conditions.
• Shovel or scoop potatoes into machines or containers manually when needed.

No Fieldwork / No Crop Production

• No planting, cultivating, irrigating, or harvesting of potatoes or any other crop.
• No cutting or preparing potato seed.
• No separating potatoes, removing stems, or removing defective potatoes.
• No grading, sorting, culling, or conveyor belt inspection of potatoes.
• No tilling soil, weeding, thinning plants, or crop maintenance.
• No installation, maintenance, or movement of irrigation systems or water lines.
• No application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or crop protectants.
• No ditching, hoeing, shoveling, or field preparation.
• No operation of tractors, harvesters, or any agricultural field equipment.
• No farm building, fence, or field repairs.
• No driving company vehicles for field operations.
• No outdoor fieldwork under any weather conditions.

All work is performed indoors in a post-harvest agricultural packing facility.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience.

Job opportunity is Skill Level II. Workers must be able to perform all primary duties independently and without close supervision.

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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

Benefits

• Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)
• Meals: Employer does not provide meals. Employer-provided housing includes free and convenient kitchen facilities with appropriate equipment, appliances, cooking accessories, and dishwashing facilities for meal preparation. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free transportation once per week to/from closest town or city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Dining, kitchen/cooking facilities and other common areas are shared by all workers. In the event that kitchen facilities become unavailable during the contract period, employer will provide three daily meals in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(g). In such circumstances, employer will deduct the cost of such meals up to the maximum allowable amount published in the Federal Register, or as otherwise approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Transport: Employer pays/reimburses foreign workers for all visa-related costs (excluding passport fees) in the first workweek. For non-local workers, employer arranges/provides inbound transportation via common carrier mode of transportation (e.g., bus or plane) and reimburses workers for daily subsistence and reasonable lodging costs, if applicable.

Experience wanted: 6 months

This job requires minimum of 6 months of experience working in an agricultural packing operation handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Work in packing facility during hot, humid and cold conditions. Reach, push, pull and perform repetitive movements. Lift, carry and load up to 60 lbs. Second shift starting at 12:00PM, may be offered.