Field Workers/driver (wine Grapes)

Job description

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

Workers will occasionally (less than 20 percent of time) perform vineyard weeding using shovels over 4 ft in length. The employer will provide training, gloves, and knee pads in prevention of work-related injuries at no cost to workers if required. The employer will also abide by rest period requirements in accordance with 8 Cal. Code Regulations 3456(c)(4) if required.

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

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 and other vineyard activities.

Work in grape vineyards during harvest season (approximately mid-September 2024 through the end of October 2024) will include picking wine grapes, sorting 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.

CalVans or Commute with Enterprise Driver:
1. Driver may drive over the road in passenger vans.
2. Driver will drive designated vans to transport harvest crew workers to and from housing and worksite locations. Driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform harvesting job duties when not driving.
3. Driver will be responsible for filling van with fuel and keeping vehicle clean.
4. Driver will be required to complete and process periodic driving reports as required by state laws.
5. Driver will be required to follow all traffic laws and if applicable, vanpool rules.
6. In order to drive, drivers must possess a valid authorized driver’s license and must be able to pass DOT (Department of Transportation) recognized medical exam and fulfill all other DOT requirements.
7. CalVans and Commute with Enterprise perform the medical exam at no cost to the employee or employer. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the registration as an FLCE driver (if any).

Drivers are compensated for these activities.
All employees engaged in driving activities (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (DL or CDL) on a voluntary basis. The DL/CDL is not a pre-hire job requirement. No job applicant will be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL/CDL or FLCE Certificate at the time of application and/or hiring. Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will be terminated for failure to obtain a DL/CDL or FLCE certificate.

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.

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.