Farmworker/ Laborer

Job description

Crops: Apples, Cherries

Cherry and Apple Harvesting: Cherry Harvest: Worker will hand harvest cherries. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit while standing or on a ladder. Worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping stem with the hands and removing from the tree in a motion so as not to harm adjacent buds on the tree branches. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 20 lbs. and will place fruit into bins which hold approximately 320 pounds of fruit. Workers must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches.

Apple and Cherry Tree Thinning: Worker will work under the supervision of the crew lead to gently and precisely remove fruit buds, flowers, and immature fruit with the goal of thinning the buds/flowers/fruit to a precise and optimal concentration for harvest quality. Worker must be careful to follow instructions in the manner by which this is accomplished since the current and following crop is affected by this procedure. Worker will use only a ladder when necessary to reach the higher canopy and no other tools, beyond Personal Safety Equipment (eye glasses, gloves, etc.) are required.

General duties: Collect ladder, picking bucket, and appropriate tools for the job and walk to assigned row. - Move ladder down row to assist in performing the job required; this includes ascending and descending ladders - Walk to bin during harvest and dispense fruit in a gentle manner as described by the crew boss - Prior to clocking out return ladder and and other works tools to the end of row and/or to the Crew boss.

Special Requirements

Workers with a clean MVR and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may be requested to operate employer-owned trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles to haul tools, supplies, crops, and transport workers (whether on or off farm) to and from the worker housing to the farm properties and occasionally around the farm properties during the workday including on public roads to reach the fields where work will be performed; and/or may transport workers to the grocery store, bank, or laundry facilities on an as needed basis. No applicants or workers will be rejected for not possessing a drivers license or who may be unwilling to drive company vehicles. Such duties are completely optional and may be declined by the worker at his or her sole discretion. The Employer can and will make alternative arrangements for the transportation of workers should the need arise.