Vineyard Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
grapes.
Plant, cultivate, and harvest grapes. Performs tasks under supervision in vineyard/winery operation. Thin fruit and remove shoots and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities, including mowing and weeding. Install and maintain vine trellises. Tie vines to trellises. Must possess the requisite skills and knowledge of what, when, where and how much to prune on a grape vine. Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Must demonstrate and consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health. Manage vineyard canopy management to permit light and air circulation. Install and maintain bird netting. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. May perform general indoor tasks or post-harvest activities (e.g., packing or moving products to storage at winery facility) when outdoor vineyard work is not available (all such activities will be performed incident to or in conjunction with vineyard operation).

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences.

Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Employer may provide one or more vehicles to workers (van, bus, or pickup truck) for multi-purpose use on an as needed basis (e.g., driving workers from employer-provided housing directly to the farm, around the farm properties during the work day, and possibly carrying equipment/supplies with them) and this may involve the worker(s) operating the vehicles across public roads in order to reach the other farm properties to perform their work. These multi-purpose vehicles have a capacity of less than 13 tons, require a standard driver’s license to operate, may be used on or off farm by the workers (e.g., drive to the grocery store, bank, etc. at their discretion), and workers are not required or expected to arrange for the routine pick-up of another worker or groups of workers on a regular schedule at other housing locations or centralized pick-up points.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling product weighing up to 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 10 to over 100 degrees F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

TERMINATION.

Special Requirements

Jobs offered working in a vineyard. Workers must be able to perform manual tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.