English Language, Firearms Experience, Forklift, Gardening, Information Technology & Information Systems, Pallet Jack, Quality Management, Safety Training, Spanish Language
LOCATION
Somerton, AZ
POSTED
3 days ago
This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more
information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/7491872
Farm workers are responsible for performing general farm upkeep tasks
and harvesting of Dates, often requiring physical stamina and the
ability to work in various weather conditions.
Tree Work All tree (Date Palms) 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 date 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.
Harvest- All (Date Palms) 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 Date Palms is done by digging a hole with a shovel
and placing Date Palms 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
-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.
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) 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.
One (1) month of general date work. Work is performed in open fields and
may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and\
other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees
Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of\
employme t. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and
footwear for the environmental and working conditions\
described. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential
housing. Proficiency in English or Spanish is required for training\
and safety purposes. (i.e. Workers must listen to, understand and follow
instructions of Employer supervisors and managers.)
Tools and equipment: The Company will provide tools and equipment
necessary to perform all required tasks at no cost to the worker. Tools
and equipment include, but are not limited to, knives, hair nets, and
gloves if needed to perform the job. The reasonable repair and or
replacement cost of tools or equipment may be deducted from the workers
paycheck for willful damage or loss of such tools or equipment. The
employer will not make any deduction from the wage or require any
reimbursement from an employee for any cash shortage, breakage, or loss
of equipment, unless it can be shown that such shortage, breakage, or
loss is caused by a dishonest or willful act, or by the gross negligence
of the employee.
The work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects, snakes, rodents,
noxious plants and/or plant materials that have been treated with insect
and/or disease control sprays. The Company will comply with all worker
protection standards and restrictions applicable to pesticides and other
chemicals. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable
worker protecti