Farmworkers/laborers

Job description

Pears/Cherry/Apple Harvest
The Worker will hand-harvest Apples, Pears, and Cherries. This can be performed from a motorized platform and/or from the ground or a ladder. The worker will attach a harness, bucket, or bag and pick low-hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. The worker will pick fruit according to grade, color, and size by grasping the fruit with hands and using clippers to remove fruit into plastic lugs, which hold approximately 30 pounds of fruit or wooden bins measuring 4’x4’x3’, which hold approximately 25 bushels of fruit. Care must always be exercised to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. The worker may be required to examine harvested fruit in plastic/wooden bins and sort out any fruit not meeting grade, color, and size specifications.

Training
Training is a process in which the fruit tree is manipulated to increase yield and/or quality and proper fruit load. Training may be performed from a motorized platform and/or from the ground or ladder. Some example training tasks are, but not limited to: • Tying, taping, or clipping apples, pears, or cherry limbs to wires • Tying up or down apple pears or cherry limbs • Training and limb positioning of apples, pears, and cherry trees • Shoot Thinning, Sucker removal, cluster thinning, shoot positioning, hedging, or leaf removal. • Propping and supporting apples, pears, and cherry trees.

Pruning
Pruning numerous varieties of apples, pears, and cherry trees according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Work will be performed on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment, including but not limited to hand shears, hand loppers, and hand saws. Pruning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 12 feet in height or from a motorized platform. The worker may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size and color as instructed by the crew supervisor.

Workers with the appropriate licensing may safely transport workers to and from the housing and worksite locations. Workers may also be asked to transport crops and equipment. Workers will otherwise perform the primary agricultural job duties.

Special Requirements

Worker must possess 3 months of verifiable tree fruit experience. Must be able to lift and/or load 60lbs. Employer reserves the right to conduct employer-paid post-accident drug testing. Any employee who declines to take or fails a drug test will receive a disciplinary warning. After three warnings, employee will be immediately terminated.