Vineyard Laborer

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Wine grapes.
This job requires work in a commercial vineyard or orchard, handling both manual and mechanized tasks including pruning, thinning and harvesting activities associated with production of grapes. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. 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. Use power equipment including but not limited to: tractors, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, fork lifts, skid loaders. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Under supervision of licensed applicator, apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Mix and apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences.

Plant, cultivate, and harvest grapes. Performs tasks under supervision in vineyard 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 tasks relative to vineyard operation.

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.

Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings. Employer will instruct workers in the safety and operation of equipment before use. Workers must operate equipment in a manner that protects operator, visitors, other workers, products, trees, crops and equipment. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in termination.

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

Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Special Requirements

This job requires work in a commercial vineyard or orchard, handling both manual and mechanized tasks including pruning, thinning and harvesting activities associated with production of grapes. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.