General farm worker job description template

Position Identification Details

1. Position Summary

The General Farm Worker does the hands-on work that keeps [ORGANIZATION_NAME] running through the growing season: planting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, sorting and packing crops, plus the chores and repairs in between. The work follows the weather and the crop calendar, so tasks change from week to week. The worker takes daily direction from [REPORTS_TO_TITLE], works as part of a small crew, and runs tractors and other farm equipment once trained. The goal is a crop that is planted on time, cared for well, picked at the right stage and handled so it reaches the buyer in good shape.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Planting and field preparation (15%)

• Help prepare fields and beds: picking rocks, spreading compost or manure, laying plastic mulch and drip tape.
• Plant seeds, transplants, seed potatoes, sets or cuttings by hand or on a planter, following the spacing and depth set by [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].
• Set up and move row covers, stakes, trellises and fencing.
• Record what was planted, where and when on the field sheet or in [FARM_RECORD_SYSTEM].

2.2 Crop care through the season (20%)

• Hoe and hand weed, and run cultivating equipment once trained.
• Set up, run and repair irrigation lines, drip tape and sprinklers, and check that water is reaching every row.
• Thin, prune, tie and train plants as each crop needs.
• Watch for insects, disease, frost damage and dry spots, and tell [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] what you see and where.
• Help with pesticide or fertilizer applications only as directed, and only apply products yourself if you hold the licence required in [PROVINCE].

2.3 Harvesting (25%)

• Pick, cut or dig crops by hand or with harvest equipment at the stage set by [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].
• Handle produce gently to avoid bruising, and keep it out of the sun once picked.
• Fill bins, crates or totes to the right level and label them with field, crop and date.
• Keep up a steady pace during peak harvest, which can mean long days and some weekends.

2.4 Sorting, packing and storage (15%)

• Wash, grade, sort and pack produce to the buyer's or market's standard.
• Weigh and label boxes and keep packing records.
• Follow the farm's food safety rules: hand washing, clean bins and tools, no glass in the packing area, and reporting any contamination.
• Move product into coolers or storage and keep storage areas clean and organized.

2.5 Equipment, vehicles and maintenance (15%)

• Drive tractors, utility vehicles and farm trucks once trained and approved by [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].
• Do daily checks on equipment before use: fuel, oil, tires, guards and hitches.
• Grease, clean and store equipment, and report breakdowns right away.
• Help with off-season work such as fixing fences, repairing buildings, cleaning out storage, pruning, and getting equipment ready for spring.

2.6 Livestock and general chores (5%)

• Where the farm keeps animals, feed and water them, clean pens and check for sick or injured animals.
• Keep the yard, shop and packing shed tidy and safe.
• Load and unload deliveries and help at the farm stand or market when needed.

2.7 Health and safety (5%)

• Wear [REQUIRED_PPE] for the task.
• Stay clear of power take-off shafts, augers and moving parts, and never ride on equipment that has no seat for a passenger.
• Follow re-entry signs after a field has been sprayed.
• Drink water, take breaks in the shade in hot weather, and report any injury, near miss or unsafe equipment the same day.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Role Qualification Standards

4. Competencies

Core Competencies

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Farm work is physical and outdoors in most weather. The table shows what the job normally involves. We will look at accommodation for a worker who needs it, up to the point of undue hardship, as human rights law requires.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

5.2 Performance Measures

Key Performance Indicators

5.3 Career Path

• Typical Prior Roles: Seasonal harvest worker, general labourer, landscaping or nursery labourer, student summer worker.
• Typical Next Roles: Equipment operator, crew lead, packing shed lead, irrigation or field technician, farm supervisor.

5.4 Position Acknowledgement

This job description sets out the main duties, working conditions and qualifications for the General Farm Worker role at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not a list of every task. The job can change as the business changes. If it changes in a real way, we will update this document and talk it through with the employee first.

Employee Sign-Off:

Name: [EMPLOYEE_NAME] Signature: _____ Date: _______

Manager Sign-Off:

Name: [MANAGER_NAME] Title: [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] Signature: _____ Date: _______

What to fill in