Farmworkers And Laborers

Job description

Workers will perform various duties on a Christmas Tree farm which may include cultivating color tinting, baling, hauling, loading, and harvesting Christmas evergreen trees on a Christmas-tree farm. Removes brush, ferns, and other growth from planting area using hand tools such as mattock, brush hook, hoe, axe sling blade. Will hand plant seedlings, using mattock or dibble. May scatter fertilizer pellets over planted area by hand. May spray herbicides or pesticides. Shears tops and limb tips from trees, as specified by supervisor to control growth, increase limb density, and improve shape. Harvesting Christmas evergreen trees on a Christmas tree farm. Selects Christmas trees for cutting according to markings or size, species, and grade as directed by the grower or supervisor. Will cut trees using chain saw or axe as directed by grower or supervisor. Will drag trees that range in weight from 50 to 100 lbs. from cutting area to field loading area and lift onto mechanical tree bailer to be bailed. Trees weighing 100 lbs. will be moved in teams of 2 or more. Will load trees onto field trucks or trailers for transport to a central staging area where trees will be unloaded, sorted and grouped according to size, species and quality specifications as directed by the grower or supervisor. May drive trucks or tractors on an incidental basis, as is the norm in the industry, in and around the field or from the field to central loading areas. Workers will load Christmas trees into box trailers for shipment to market according to supervisor?s instructions. Workers must exercise care not to break or damage limbs of trees when working around and handling trees. Work is physically challenging and will be performed in steep mountainous terrain in varying weather that includes, but is not limited to cold, rain, snow, and sleet.

Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to always follow common sanitary practices. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities. All workers must report all injuries and illnesses to their employer. As well as any communicable disease such as but not limited to diarrhea, or any other infectious disease or illness.
Workers shall report immediately any cuts or abrasions that cause open bleeding.

Cherries, Apples, Asparagus, Corn: Workers will perform various duties associated with planting, cultivation (including pruning and thinning) and hand harvesting fruit and vegetable crops. Workers may be required to climb, bend, stoop, or crawl to harvest any of the crops listed. Workers will be instructed in the proper way to harvest and will be expected to conform to those instructions. Workers will be required to perform many of these duties atop a ladder.

Greenhouse: Workers will assist with working in the greenhouse.

GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CROPS: Fieldwork begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work is considered heavy labor. Work is performed during snow, cold, and in damp weather with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees F to 85+ degrees F. Workers will work on their feet in bent position for long periods of time. The employer will provide all safety and special equipment when needed. Employees must be able to frequently lift trees. Workers should be able to lift trees weighing 50 pounds. Workers will supply their own work clothes. All the tasks in this Job Description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer.

Special Requirements

Employer may conduct criminal background checks post-employment and at the employer's expense.

Employer may conduct drug/alcohol testing post-employment and at the employer's expense.