Farmworker/laborer
Employer
7373 E Pertner Rd
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
United States
Job description
PRUNING: Pruning numerous varieties of apple and cherry trees according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Worker may be instructed to prune entire trees, tops only, or bottoms only depending on supervisor's instructions. Worker will perform pruning on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment including hand shears, hand loppers, hand saws, and 16-foot ladders. Pruning and thinning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 16 feet in height or from a motorized platform, or platform pulled by tractor or truck. Workers may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size as instructed by supervisors. Worker must clear brush from around trees.
Worker must possess or acquire pruning skills in order to identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward-growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoots/suckers. Workers will both hand prune and machine prune. Pay will be piece rate, depending on variety, complexity, size of canopy and height of tree.
Thinning: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. Worker must possess ability to pick up and handle a 16-foot orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Worker will remove the smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Workers will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged and/or with other quality problems as directed by supervisors. Thinning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 16 feet in height or from a motorized platform.
Tree planting: Trees will be unbundled and handled with care as not to break and damage young trees. Trees are planted mechanically with a planter and by hand. Worker will ride the machine and place plants in the holes as the machine moves along the row. Tree graft union height will be adjusted by pulling the tree until at a specific height using a specially marked stick as a measure. Straighten tree and compact soil around tree. Workers will be required to unload 100-pound boxes of trees to be planted (lifting will be done between 2 workers at a time).
Attaching, tying & spreading trees: Trees will be attached, trained and positioned to the trellis system. This will include clipping, tying or spreading limbs and shoots to wire from ground or up to 8-foot ladder or from platform pulled by tractor or truck.
Irrigation maintenance: Workers will be required to assist in fixing leaks as directed by supervisor.
Irrigation installation: Worker will assist with installation of irrigation lines, headers, mainline, valves, micro sprinklers, and any other irrigation equipment.
Fence maintenance: Worker will remove all unnecessary material around or in fence. Worker will make necessary repairs to fence as instructed.
Vehicle Driving: If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law and provides proof of no infractions from official source, Employer may require worker to drive in Employer-provided vehicle to and from the worksite and to locations within 30 miles as directed. To be eligible for driving job, worker must understand and agree to driving rules, as outlined in work rules below.
Spraying: Worker will assist in spraying small trees, which will require worker to ride on tractor and utilize hand-sprayer to apply spray mixes. Worker will be provided personal protective equipment/apparel for these tasks and will receive additional training.
Special Requirements
3 months verifiable experience to include commercial agricultural equipment operation and commercial agricultural hand harvest. Applicants must furnish job references from employers, within past 5 years, establishing acceptable prior experience.
Drug screen not utilized as pre-employment tool, see work rules for additional information.
Season Commitment: Job offered requires worker be available for and worker agrees to work every day that work is available for entire employment period.
Worker must be able to perform job description duties in safe manner consistent with established safety procedures.