Agriculture, Forestry

Job description

All applicants must be able, willing, and qualified to perform the work described in this job description and must be available for the entire period of employment specified in box A.3 & A.4. This work order is for qualified people to perform agricultural work and working in a commercial scale maple sugaring operation. Workers must be willing to work in cold weather as low as 15 degrees and work on snow covered ground up to 3 feet. Due to Vermont’s extreme weather some weeks may require the workers to work longer hours. Workers will use precision tree-sap tapping equipment, operate agricultural equipment to include tractor with loader and rear mounted attachments, pick-up truck, and chainsaw. Workers will operate trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles and may transport workers from housing (whether on or off farm) 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); and/or transport workers to the grocery store, bank, or laundry facilities on an as-needed basis. Those that are requested to drive will be required to possess a valid driver’s license, no worker will be rejected for not having a driver's license. This position involves precision coring of "tap-holes" in trees; precision insertion and setting of spouts; crimping, cutting, and connecting food-grade flexible pvc tubing; and installation and repairing of various diameter food-grade flexible pvc pipe/tubing (up to 2'). Work requires long periods of standing, bending and kneeling. Workers must be physically able to be standing and walking for most of the day in woods and mountainous environments. Workers will clear brush, install, replace, maintain & remove tubing systems, tap maple trees, evaluate health of sugar maples for potential sap production, monitor sap flow level in tubing, pull taps at the end of the season and clean equipment. Workers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and be available to work Monday through Saturday. Employer will furnish to workers without cost all tools and equipment required to perform duties assigned. Workers may require to work 8 hours shift between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm from Monday through Friday and may require to work 5 hours shift between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm on Saturday. Workers will be given 30 minutes for lunch. Beginning and ending times will vary depending on the conditions in the orchard. Workers must be able to take direction in simple English. Ability to stringently follow safety protocols.