Farm Crew Leader

Description

Fundamental Objective:

Under the general supervision from the Orchard Operations Supervisor, the Foreman will directly supervise and coordinate the orchard operation activities of their assigned crews within their assigned location(s).

Orchard Operation Responsibilities:

• The lead Foreman supervises the day-to-day tasks of their assigned crews, including but not limited to, equipment operations, sprays, irrigation install, or field preparation.
• Communicate and direct the scheduled assignments to all crew foremen reporting to him or her that are expected for completion according to the orders received from their supervisor or manager.
• Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide basic employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
• Monitor and assure timeliness and accuracy of activities such as fertilization and chemical application to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards; and to report issues when they are found.
• Monitor and track equipment operations of all assigned crews on a daily basis by job site, equipment type and use.
• Keep records of work activities for each crew including, acres done per day, rates being sprayed, and incidents that occur daily under their managed area, and report information to direct supervisor as requested.
• Help with forecasting movements of equipment and crews to aid with scheduling.
• Make sure all crew foreman have and follow the current daily work schedule as needed.
• In collaboration with crew foreman demonstrates or explains working techniques, practices, or safety regulations to employees.
• Will explain the correct and safe method of chemical application to personnel performing spray applications, and review chemical label in detail with foreman as appropriate.
• Will work with crew foremen in their designated region to inventory equipment and inspect for proper functioning, and ensure quality equipment operation awareness; and make requisitions as needed.
• Confer with supervisor and crew foremen when there are changes in wind, temperature, or environmental changes that could affect spray applications to avoid a hazardous drift; or to develop plans or procedures, such as changes in fertilizers, herbicides, irrigation, application, or cultural techniques.
• Coordinate and monitor the safe travel of working crews and equipment between ranches with crew foremen.
• Requisition materials and supplies, such as tools, equipment, or replacement parts to direct supervisor.
• Demonstrate and perform equipment calibration on aero fans and herbicide equipment to assure optimal operation. Also, calibrate other equipment for optimal utilization, such as sweepers and harvesters.
• Identify and report unsafe equipment or environmental conditions to supervisor, manager, or to crew foremen, and stop the job when hazardous conditions are identified.
• In coordination with the Safety Department will assure his or her direct reports conduct daily:
• Standard operating procedures by job.
• Job safety analysis report per job.
• Will verify daily that all safety and OSHA provisions are adequate and sufficient for each of their working crews.
• On a routine basis will assist and organize data collection with respect to their crew operations and/or as requested by supervisor.
• Develop relationships with staff from different departments and Companies to meet customer’s expectations.
• Perform the same orchard operation duties as subordinates when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Candidate is required to maintain an active Private Applicator Certificate during employment for managing spraying activities.
• Foreman Supervisory Responsibilities
• Engage in the hiring, training, and supervision of Company or contract labor workers assuring the day to-day activities of the managed operation are carried out successfully.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to Company employees and outside labor crews to improve overall employee job knowledge and work performance.
• Observe workers to detect inefficient or unsafe work procedures or to identify problems, initiating corrective action as necessary.
• Assure that crew foreman keep up with their daily labor hours reports for their assigned personnel, assuring that daily time is reported accurately for all members of their team; this includes reporting and investigating any time discrepancies when they are found.
• Counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job-skill deficiencies.
• Monitor employees work levels and review work performance.
• Recommend personnel actions, such as hires, promotions, transfers, discharges, or disciplinary measures to direct supervisor.
• Will work with Safety and/or Human Resources to investigate accidents, injuries, or harassment related matters in their assigned crews when necessary.
• Enforce company safety rules and policies.
• Responsible for requesting safety training as needed, and to ensure that all current employees (including new hires) have the correct safety training needed for each job.
• Ensure the successful implementation of the Company’s time keeping process (Pet Tiger).

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems — analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Management, Peers, or Subordinates — providing information to managers, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Operation Monitoring — watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Documenting/Recording Information — entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining Information in written or electronic form.
• Speaking — talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension — understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Mathematics — using mathematics to solve problems.

Education and Work Experience:

Two years’ experience in equipment operation and previous experience in crew supervision.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write and speak basic English.
• Valid California driver’s license and motor vehicle record acceptable according to Company auto insurance carrier’s guidelines.
• Job requires a Private Applicator Certificate, or Qualified Applicator Certificate, category D. (For spray crew.)
• Basic computer skills needed in interaction via e-mail.
• Ability to learn and understand job requirements and work under minimal supervision after initial training.
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans in order to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge as it relates to the job.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of Company information.
• Must be able to work around bees without having an allergic reaction when stung.
• Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions:
• Position works primarily outside in field locations which may include exposure to dirty, dusty, and muddy conditions with exposure to temperature extremes, chemicals and airborne particles or fumes or work near moving machinery with exposure to potentially loud noise.
• Position requires the operation of a vehicle which may require extended periods of sitting.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, and to use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials.
• The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger motion to handle, feel, grip or operate objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and to use foot control movement to operate vehicles.
• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; including those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Repetitive motions: making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Vision: The ability to see details at a distance and to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Olfactory sense: The ability to detect odors that affect work related situations, such as fumes, fumigation and other dangerous odors.