Summary/objective:

The Machine Operator supports harvest crews by preparing, driving, and cleaning harvesting machines, assisting with box handling, and ensuring compliance with all safety and food safety standards.

Essential functions: (to include supervisory responsibilities – if applicable)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  1. Machine Operation & Transport
  • Opens and prepares harvesting machines; drives them from the yard to the ranch
  • Operates harvesting machines in the field throughout the day
  • Closes and secures machines at the end of the shift
  • Possesses a valid Class A commercial driver’s license prior to starting work
  • Operates all types of harvesting machines for each commodity
  • Navigates field rows skillfully, including frequent tight turns and uneven terrain
  • Drives machines directly to the field and opens them on-site to begin harvest
  • Required to pass a road test with a commercial class A produce truck
  1. Cleaning & Maintenance
  • Cleans machines daily, including belts and food surfaces used for packing
  • Ensures the machine is cleaned before and after each shift, as per food safety guidelines
  • Performs daily inspections, checking oil, water, and tire pressure
  • Completes inspection reports, documenting cleaning and mechanical checks; notes any damage or mechanical issues on inspection; reports defects to supervision
  • Submits daily timesheets
  1. Field Work & Harvest Support
  • Assists with making boxes and closing boxes after they are filled
  • Moves closed boxes to the loading area for stacking by loaders
  • Supports harvest crew during field operations
  • Ensures the machine is never left running without an operator
  • Works at crew speed production
  1. Safety & Compliance
  • Wears all required safety gear, including a hard hat and yellow safety vest
  • Communicates effectively in English and Spanish (Basic Spanish required)
  • Follows food safety procedures, including verifying the machine has been washed and documented
  • Operates harvesters that are crop-specific; no machine adjustments for commodity type are necessary

Additional functions:

N/A

Competencies:

  • Safety Awareness
  • Communication
  • Multi-tasking
  • Reliability

Work environment:

  • Work is performed outdoors in agricultural fields under varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain
  • Workdays start early in the morning and may extend into the afternoon or evening depending on harvest needs
  • Harvest location is designated at field or ranch yard locations

Physical requirements:

See separate physical requirements document for this role.

Travel required:

  • Position is full-time and seasonal, based in Salinas, CA. Relocation is not required

Required education and experience:

  • Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required
  • Able to work early mornings, long hours, weekends, and in outdoor field conditions
  • Basic Spanish communication skills needed

Preferred education and experience:

  •  Prior experience operating harvesting or agricultural machinery preferred
  •  Experience working in farming, field labor, or harvest crew
  •  Familiarity with food safety and field safety practices

Additional eligibility requirements:

  • Must possess a clean driving record and be insurable under the company’s insurance policy

Affirmative Action/EEO statement:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – The Company assures equal employment opportunity with respect to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, transfers, and promotions. All Company practices will be administered without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, age (40 and over), ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), denial of FMLA leave, disability, marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law in terms and conditions of employment. Information provided on this application will not be used for any discriminatory purpose.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Pay range:

  • $25.00 per hour
  • Compensation is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)