Field Assistant

Seneca Foods is one of North America's leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States.  Our high quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,400 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms®, Green Valley®, Green Giant (Shelf-Stable)®, CherryMan®, Paradise®, Pennant®, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Seneca also provides vegetable products to other companies under various co-pack arrangements.

 

Seneca Foods offers an excellent benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, 401K, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off and more!  Help us make our Farm Fresh Goodness Great!  Come join the Seneca Foods team – Apply now!

 

 

 

Position Summary

 

Responsible for: receiving fruit from growers; ensuring SO2 and PH levels of brine ponds are adequate; pumping of tankers; monthly DEQ testing; circulation of the ponds; pond maintenance, such as repairing existing ponds, building new ponds, or dismantling old ponds; patching liners; station maintenance (cutting grass and cleaning up any debris); and assisting at the plant in Traverse City as needed throughout the year. This position must: perform in accordance with all company standards, policies and procedures; possess valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to get to work site(s); have excellent communication skills; maintain a work environment that promotes trust, teamwork quality and safety; ensure compliance of Federal and State guidelines; and ensure regulatory compliance as appropriate (OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, HACCP, Etc.).

 

Essential Functions

 

• Circulating the Ponds. (Introducing air into the pond to move the brine to help it maintain the same levels throughout the pond)
• Testing the Brine and PH (Samples are taken monthly to test for SO2 and PH levels. If either of these are not in the standards chemicals are added to correct this)
• Pumping. (Pumping the cherries out of the ponds and into the tankers.)
• Setup of station (Make sure all of the mix tanks and dump tanks work. Setup Flume lines to get cherries from the tanks to the ponds. Scrub the ponds and wash so they are ready for the new crop.)
  • This is typically done the week before cherries start coming in.
• Maintenance. (Check all of the stations mix tanks and dump tanks. On the dump tanks it is important to check the motor, gear box, and belt. These also get repainted each year. Mix tanks need to be checked over to make sure the housings are good and the augers not locked up. Other basic maintenance is done on Honda pumps, compressors, and pump truck.)
• Assist at the Traverse City plant as needed throughout the year.
• Other tasks as assigned

 

Qualifications & Certifications Required

 

• Trained and knowledgeable in the use of  PPE (personal protective equipment)
• Must pass respiratory fitness test
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation

 

Physical Demands of Job

 

The employee must be able to perform the physical demands listed below to perform this specific job functions:

 

• Frequent standing and walking
• Occasional climbing, bending, stooping, and twisting
• Occasional lifting and/or pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds