Field Workers (wine Grapes)

Job description

Field Worker (Wine Grapes):
Duties vary depending on the growing season:
Work in grape vineyards during growing season (approximately April 2024 through May 2024) will include weed removal and vine suckering.

Work in grape vineyards during growing season (approximately June 2024 through July 2024) will include leaf removal.

Work in grape vineyards on non-harvest activities (approximately August 2024 through mid-September 2024) will include early season crop removal, move wires, picking, root picking, irrigation, field maintenance, canopy management, shoveling, stake removal and replacement.

Work in grape vineyards during harvest season (approximately mid-September 2024 through the end of October 2024) will include picking wine grapes and activities directly related to wine grape picking.

Non-harvest related activities continue during harvest time of the year but are not directly related to wine grape picking and include fence repair, trellis repair, post removal and replacement, drainage, field gutters, plant new vineyard including digging, raking, clean up and post pounding.

Harvest activities include using sharp picking knives, standing, and kneeling on ground to pick fruit.

Tractor Driver:
Tractor drivers will drive and control tractors in fields. Tractors have a capacity of under 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Commercial drivers' license not required to drive tractors.

Work Schedule

The normal work week is 7 hours per day, Monday through Friday, and 5 hours on Saturday (40 hours per week). Saturday work is required. Workers may be requested to work on Sundays or Federal Holidays depending on the conditions of the fields, weather, and maturity of the crop. Overtime may be requested. However, Employer does not require overtime on Sundays and Federal Holidays. The Employer abides by California Wage Order 14. (i.e., Agricultural employees are generally entitled to time and one-half pay for the first eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work and double-time pay for all work performed in excess of eight hours on the seventh consecutive day of work). The employer will abide by the seventh (7) day of rest rules.

The workday start times may vary from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 am and the workday end time is 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (depending on the start time). Workers are notified of any change in the start time. An unpaid lunch break of 30 minutes and two paid 10-minute work breaks are provided. On workdays of less than 5 hours, no lunch break will be provided. Workers must refrain from performing any work during scheduled rest breaks and for the full period of the scheduled lunch break. Workers will be assigned a specific work schedule at the sole discretion of the employer. Work schedule assignments may be changed at the sole discretion of the employer.

Employees will begin work at staggered times.

The work described in this Clearance Order is regular, full-time work requiring all workers to be available for work on a daily basis. This is not "day work". Tardiness and/or unexcused absences will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action as set forth in the employer’s employment policies.

All workers not occupying employer-provided housing must provide the employer with contact information before the worker commences employment. This contact information will be used to notify the worker not to report to work due to inclement weather or when work is not available, to notify the worker of any change in the worker’s daily work schedule, or for any other reason.

Employees may experience a temporary reduction in work and/or a temporary work stoppage due to the natural agricultural cycle.

Special Requirements

3 months of experience working with wine grapes is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.
Work is performed outdoors in vineyards and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold, wet, humid, warm, dry, and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 20 degrees F to over 100 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described.