Packer

Work description

Crops/Commodities: Sweet corn, green beans, broccoli, peppers. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): To perform this type of work, workers must be able to work outdoors for a minimum of six (6) hours per day under all types of weather conditions. Workers must possess the necessary physical strength and endurance and be able to perform tasks quickly and efficiently using their hands. Corn Harvesting: Workers may be assigned to harvesting equipment, following behind the harvester to collect harvested corn and place it onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor transports the corn to be packed into an RPC containing 48 ears of corn. Workers place the harvested corn into the RPC, and once 48 ears have been collected, the container is closed and placed onto a conveyor belt that carries it to the hauling truck traveling behind the harvester. Workers will also walk behind the harvesting machinery and select ripe corn, making sure all mature ears are removed from each stalk. Grader: The Grader assists with the production operation by providing labor as required in the sorting area. Workers must follow oral and/or written instructions. Duties include removing all nonconforming material, including husks and stalks, damaged or moldy products, rogues and off-types, and inert material such as weeds and refuse. Workers will separate tightly husked material and return it to the husking beds for reworking. Workers will coordinate with other sorting personnel and assist with kernel cleaning in the sorting area when necessary. Sorters are responsible for maintaining a clean and organized work area. Job duties require frequent reaching and arm and hand movements, twisting at the waist, stooping, talking, and hearing. While performing these duties, employees are frequently exposed to continuous elevated noise levels and moving conveyor equipment. Dumpers: Workers are responsible for emptying filled RPCs onto the conveyor belts. Field Task: Duties may include weeding, taking leaf samples, performing gene checks, staking, removing trash, and stocking harvest supplies. All employees are required to comply with established quality control and safety procedures while wearing the required personal protective equipment. Worker duties and responsibilities may be changed verbally and/or in writing when necessary by the location manager and/or field supervisor. Green bean Grading: Workers will inspect green beans for quality and remove damaged, defective, overripe, discolored, or otherwise nonconforming product. Workers will sort green beans according to size, quality, and applicable specifications. Workers may place green beans onto the grading or sorting line and monitor the product as it moves through the process. Workers will remove foreign material, stems, leaves, and other unwanted material as necessary. Workers will pack properly graded green beans into cases. Workers are responsible for maintaining a clean and orderly work area and following all quality control, safety procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements. Pepper Grading: Workers will inspect peppers for quality and remove damaged, defective, overripe, discolored, or otherwise nonconforming product. Workers will sort peppers according to size, quality, and applicable specifications. Workers may place peppers onto the grading or sorting line and monitor the product as it moves through the process. Workers will remove foreign material, stems, leaves, and other unwanted material as necessary. Workers will pack properly graded peppers into cases. Workers are responsible for maintaining a clean and orderly work area and following all quality control, safety procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements. Broccoli Grading: Workers will inspect broccoli for quality and remove damaged, defective, overripe, discolored, or otherwise nonconforming product.

View the official U.S. Department of Labor source

Last updated: October 10, 2026