Orchard Worker

Job description

Apples, peaches: This job requires a minimum of two months prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary tasks will be harvesting apples and peaches. Harvest quality is essential. Different varieties of apples and peaches will be packed according to establish company procedures based on the end use (spot picking for fresh, small percentage for calls for processing.)

Workers must be able to differentiate between colors accurately in order to perform color specific picking. Must be able to carry and pick from 8 to 20-foot ladder and be able to carry up to 60 pounds. Must be able to move and position 8-to-20-foot ladder quickly.

Supervisors will explain and demonstrate if necessary, picking requirements for all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards.

Pick fruit as directed by supervisor. Picking may be by clipping, color pick or size. Worker must be able to see green and red and differentiate between green, cream, and yellow background color on apples to determine maturity level and percent of red color for market requirements. Worker must be able to differentiate between apple varieties so as not to mix apple varieties in the same bin or pick a variety that is not yet mature. Workers should not pick up fruit that has fallen on the ground or knock the fruit out with a ladder or a prop. Use both hands to pack and fill the bucket to keep it level. Clippers are used for some varieties for harvesting for removal of stems by clipping.

Care must be taken when picking so as not to damage or bruise fruit. Workers must be able to pick and dump fruit without stem pulls, punctures, bruising, sunburn, insect damage, cracks, bird pecks or other damage which diminishes quality. Observation of bruised, damage or cull fruit by the supervisor, or as indicated on the pick quality report, will result in a verbal disciplinary warning. A written disciplinary warning may occur when a bin is inspected and any significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit are found by the supervisor. Upon the third notice of workers employment may be terminated.

Worker must be able to unload the picking bag into the bin without causing bruising (slowly with a flowing motion, without leaving the bag against the side of the bin). Fill the bin from all sides. Do not let the fruit roll in the bin. The supervisor will inform workers how full to fill the bin. Worker must be able to hold the packing bag so as not to cause bruising when climbing down a ladder.

Tree training: Workers may be required to perform tree training duties including but not limited to the following activities: hoeing, tree painting, weed mat application, tree tying - includes tying limbs to trellises and tying limbs together. Other tying activities will be determined by supervisor and communicated to all employees.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of two months verifiable prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required after a worker has an accident at work or upon suspicion. Any employee who declines to take or fails a drug test will be immediately terminated.