Harvest Worker Full Time NEW

About Sunterra Farms Greenhouse

Sunterra Farms Greenhouse Ltd. is part of the Sunterra Farms group, a third-generation Alberta agribusiness. Our greenhouse facility in Acme produces commercial volumes of premium tomatoes year-round, supplying retail customers across Western Canada. We operate hydroponic / substrate-based growing systems with computerized climate control and an active integrated pest management (IPM) program.

Position summary

The Greenhouse Worker performs a variety of crop-related tasks that change day to day depending on production needs. Work includes harvesting, de-leafing, lowering, clipping, pruning, general cleanup, and assisting with packing line operations during peak harvest. The role requires attention to detail, consistency, teamwork, and strict adherence to occupational health and safety, food safety (CanadaGAP), and biosecurity procedures. The Greenhouse Worker reports to the Production Supervisor.

Key responsibilities
• Walk carefully between rails; report any issues to the supervisor.
• Pick (harvest) using picking carts; clean carts after each use; pick only the colour stage assigned by the supervisor; speed is important, but quality is always the top priority.
• De-leaf: remove 2 to 3 leaves below eye level as instructed; avoid damaging the stem.
• Lower, clip, and prune: safely operate scissor lifts and follow all height-safety rules; secure clips to the string to support plant growth; prune flowers as required for proper fruit development; clean carts after each shift.
• Assist with packing line operations during peak harvest: grading, sorting, and packing tomatoes for shipment in compliance with retailer specifications.
• Use power equipment only when trained and authorized.
• Perform general cleanup including sweeping and debris removal.
• Follow all CanadaGAP food safety rules: wear uniform, wear gloves when handling product, wash and sanitize hands after every break, ensure tools and equipment are cleaned and sanitized regularly, keep food safety records updated.
• Follow all biosecurity protocols, including entry through the designated boot-scrubber.
• Report accidents, unsafe conditions, or security issues immediately.

Required qualifications
All applicants must demonstrate the following. Sunterra will document compliance with each requirement during the screening process.
1. Demonstrated physical capability to work full shifts in greenhouse conditions: sustained ambient temperatures up to 40 °C, high humidity, prolonged standing/walking/bending/kneeling, and lifting up to 25 kg.
2. Available to work a flexible schedule including weekends and statutory holidays during peak production cycles; able to work consistent full shifts (8+ hours) at a fast pace.
3. Willingness to operate, and to be trained and certified on, scissor lift / mobile electric lifting platform (employer-provided training and certification).
4. Working spoken English sufficient for safety communication, supervisor instruction, and emergency response.
5. Familiarity with, or willingness to be trained on, CanadaGAP food safety practices: hand hygiene, glove use, sanitization of tools and equipment, and biosecurity boot-scrubber protocols.
6. Compliance with PPE and uniform requirements: employee-provided steel-toe safety footwear; other PPE provided by employer; hairnet on pack line; gloves during harvest.
7. Acknowledgment of the role’s repetitive, task-based nature, and willingness to perform the same greenhouse production tasks consistently over extended shifts.

Assets (not required)

• Prior hands-on experience in commercial greenhouse vegetable production OR equivalent intensive horticulture (planting, harvesting, de-leafing, pruning) is preferred but not required. Sunterra provides on-the-job training.
• Working spoken Spanish (the production crew is multilingual; bilingual supervision is provided).
• Food-handling certification (CanadaGAP / HACCP / Food Handler).
• Forklift / scissor-lift operator certification already held.
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification.

Compensation and benefits
• Wage: $18.34 per hour (CAD).
• Free parking

Eligibility
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons (refugees) with valid Canadian work authorization at the time of application.

How to apply
Email a current resume and a brief cover note (1 page) to [email protected] with the subject line: “Greenhouse Worker Application — [Your Full Name]”. In the cover note, indicate which of the seven required qualifications you meet and how.
Applications without the required information may not be reviewed. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Interviews may be conducted by phone, video, or in person.

Equal opportunity statement
Sunterra Farms Greenhouse Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from qualified Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including members of the following underrepresented groups: Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, vulnerable youth, and asylum claimants with valid work authorization.