Farmworkers & Laborers - Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

Applicant must be able, willing and qualified to perform work described in the job description and must be available for the entire period of employment specified in box A.3 & A.4. Workers will perform a variety of manual tasks related to planting, cultivating, harvesting and packing of apples, pears, cherries, plums, asparagus, berries, corn, squash, beans, root crops, pumpkins and tomatoes. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives for tilling soil and applying pesticides and fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, watering, thinning, or pruning crops. While packing workers will sort apples according to size, color and grade before packing into boxes, weigh, stamp and stack according to the quality and method of the employer. Repair and maintain farm vehicles, equipment, fences, and other structures. May help farm owner direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting. Loading crop onto trucks and drive to storage facility. Operate trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles to transport workers from housing to the farm properties: Haul tools, supplies or crops; transport workers from place to place around the farm properties during the workday (including on public roads to reach farmer's fields); and/or may transport workers to the grocery store, bank, or Western Union on an as needed basis. Those that are requested to drive will be required to possess a valid driver license, no worker will be rejected for not having a driver's license. Harvest productivity must be at least 80 1-1/8-bushel boxes per 8 hours worked of bruise free fruit for fresh market and 100 1-1/8-bushel boxes per 8 hours of work for processing apples with no more than 10% bruising. Workers will be directed to pick all fruit from tree or selectively pick according to size, color or crop conditions and state of maturity and other USDA grade standards. Workers must be able to handle and climb ladders up to 24" and weighing approx. 2lb/foot and filled buckets weighing 40lbs. Workers must be willing and able to work in varies weather conditions with temperatures ranging from 0- 90+degrees(F) with possible wet conditions. Workers may require to work 8 hours shift between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm from Monday through Saturday. Worker will be given at least 30 minutes for lunch. Beginning and ending times may vary depending on conditions of orchard and weather. Workers should report to work in their own suitable clothing. Employers will furnish to workers at no cost all tools and equipment required to perform all duties assigned. Workers must be able to take direction in English in order to maintain Federal food safety regulations and safe operation of farm equipment. The percent of apples and other fruit and vegetables which are produced and packed by Northern Orchard Co., Inc is 100% with ZERO percent being grown by other producers. Workers must be able to lift and carry up to 60 pounds on a frequent basis.