Field Worker

Work description

Mixed Leaf Lettuce, Leafy Greens, Romaine, Romaine Hearts, Iceberg, Spinach, Celery, Broccoli, Cauliflower: Employees in this position perform manual field labor and related equipment-assisted harvesting activities for vegetable and leafy-green commodities harvested by Hartnell. Work is conducted outdoors in agricultural fields and involves hand-harvesting, trimming, packing, loading, and related crop handling tasks for various fresh market vegetables and leafy greens, including but not limited to broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce varieties, cabbage, spinach, and similar crops produced by the employer during the contract period. All harvesting is performed by hand, with the assistance of harvest machines, conveyor belts, or field tables as determined by the employer. Workers use harvesting knives and hand tools to cut produce from plants, trim outer leaves or excess plant material, inspect product for quality and size as directed by supervisors, and place product onto field tables, conveyors, or directly into cartons, totes, or bins. Workers may tie, bag, wrap, sort, wash, or otherwise prepare produce for fresh market or value-added processing according to field instructions. Filled containers are closed, stacked, and loaded onto pallets, harvest machines, or trailers in the field. Workers must walk in uneven furrows, bend at the waist repeatedly, and lift containers weighing up to approximately 50 pounds when full. Empty pallets weighing up to approximately 95 pounds are carried and assembled by two workers. All field operations are performed under the direct supervision of field supervisors, who determine harvest timing, acceptable product quality, and packing specifications. Workers must follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures as instructed. Some workers may be assigned to operate agricultural equipment in support of harvesting operations. Equipment operators perform pre-operation inspections, basic maintenance, and setup of tractors, harvesters, and related machinery. They operate tractors and tractor-drawn or self- propelled harvest equipment in fields, tow loaded trailers, and assist in positioning equipment for harvest operations. At the end of each workday, operators prepare equipment for the following day, including arranging harvest materials, fueling, and performing routine service. Workers may occasionally perform incidental field tasks associated with harvest operations, including removing trash or discarded cartons from fields, cleaning harvest areas, or serving as a spotter or safety monitor during equipment movement.

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Last updated: October 7, 2026