Farmworker Crew

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Apples, cherries.
Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report to work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

New Development- Tasks will include using manual labor and/or mechanical methods to build and/or install new trellis, making needed repairs to old trellis, install shade cloth, digging post holes and placing post in the ground, running wire along and securing trellis supports, tying and training trees to the wire using clips. In new tree planting development, tasks may include painting trees, hand fertilizing, installing and later removing protection cartons and bamboo training shoots. Replanting trees and repairing posts. Young tree limbs will be attached to the wire using special tape, wood spacers or other provided fasteners at specific intervals, based on supervisory instruction. Pruned branches will be arranged in the center of the rows for removal. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent the breaking of branches and limbs. Tasks will be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform.

Apple and Cherry Pruning- Tasks will include pruning trees, while safely using ladders, loppers, and safety glasses. Worker platforms will also be deployed in some fields. Specific branches will be removed based on supervisory instruction. Pruned branches will be arranged in the center of the rows for removal. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent breaking of branches and limbs. Similar tasks will be performed to remove fire blighted limbs from trees, which may also include using shovels and hand work to remove affected trees and lay them in a pile for disposal. Tasks may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform.
Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report to work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

New Development- Tasks will include using manual labor and/or mechanical methods to build and/or install new trellis, making needed repairs to old trellis, install shade cloth, digging post holes and placing post in the ground, running wire along and securing trellis supports, tying and training trees to the wire using clips. In new tree planting development, tasks may include painting trees, hand fertilizing, installing and later removing protection cartons and bamboo training shoots. Replanting trees and repairing posts. Young tree limbs will be attached to the wire using special tape, wood spacers or other provided fasteners at specific intervals, based on supervisory instruction. Pruned branches will be arranged in the center of the rows for removal. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent the breaking of branches and limbs. Tasks will be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform.

Apple and Cherry Pruning- Tasks will include pruning trees, while safely using ladders, loppers, and safety glasses. Worker platforms will also be deployed in some fields. Specific branches will be removed based on supervisory instruction. Pruned branches will be arranged in the center of the rows for removal. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent breaking of branches and limbs. Similar tasks will be performed to remove fire blighted limbs from trees, which may also include using shovels and hand work to remove affected trees and lay them in a pile for disposal. Tasks may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform.

Apple and Cherry Picking- Tasks will include spot and/or strip picking apples/cherries based on seasonal need. Fruit should be snapped off of the tree with thumb and palm of the hand to avoid stem pulls, punctures, bruising or other damage. Culls and peelers will need to be sorted.

Special Requirements

Workers must have a minimum of three (3) months of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards, handling both manual and machine tasks associated with fruit production, pruning, activities and showing proficiency with orchard ladder use. Workers must be able to perform all duties with accuracy and efficiency. Employer-paid post-hire, random, upon suspicion and post-accident drug testing required. Any worker who declines to take or fails a mandatory drug test will be terminated. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required.