Field Workers/drivers

Job description

The job duties/description includes all aspects of vineyard related duties as listed below:

● Applying fertilizer by hand to vines – Able to lift 50lbs.
● Bank stabilization of vineyards using hand pick and shovel
● Cane cutting with hedge trimmers and pruning shears
● Canopy management – tuck canes
● Carton/tube vines (placement by hand)
● Clearing/Breakdown Trellis using wire cutters
● Clearing Brush in Vineyards using loppers and pruning shears
● Clear brush around vineyard perimeters using loppers, saws and pruning shears
● Cover/uncover Heads (Vines) using shovel
● Cut dead arms using loppers and hand saw
● Erosion control using shovel
● Fence/gate repair & maintenance in vineyards using post hole digger and pliers
● Fruit thinning with thinning shears
● Hoeing in vine rows using hand hoe (5 ft.) and shovel
● Install Drip System and drainage system using shovel
● Install Sprinkler System/New vineyards using shovel
● Install Wires/New Vineyards using pliers and wire tensioner tool
● Leaf Removal
● Make (Select) Budwood using pruning shears
● Perimeter maintenance of vineyards using chain saws, weed eaters and loppers
● Planting using shovels
● Remove diseased vines using shovel
● Replanting using shovel
● Root removal with repetitive bending down
● Shoot tipping with hedge trimmers and pruning shears
● Staking using hand-held post pounder
● Suckering
● Tractor driving (once training has been completed by certified trainer)
● Training with pruning shears, ring knife and hand saw
● Trellis installation repair & maintenance of vineyards using hand held post pounder and pliers
● Trim vines/rootstock using pruning shears
● Tying using ring knife and pruning shears
● Weed Eating Vine Rows using gas-powered weed eater
● Operating a Utility Vehicle UTV / RTV / ATV in the vineyard for transportation and moving supplies on site (once training has been completed by certified trainer)
● Operating irrigation drip system, open / close valves and monitoring for leaks

HARVEST

Wine Grape Harvest Workers use a knife to cut grape bunches off of grape vines and into a tub (also called a lug). The tub/lug is then dumped into a bin (also called a gondola). Other incidental activities that the employers indicated are tractor driving, weed control and property maintenance, leaf picking, crop thinning, tally sheet recording, and picking with a machine harvester.

● Caravan Equipment – moving equipment
● Set Up to Pick (Hand or Machine harvest)
● Picking – Hand
● Driver/Checker
● Sorting – Hand Crew
● Sorter/Gondola
● Loading Fruit / Forklift
● Lighting / Operator
● Tractor Driver / Gondola
● Harvester Operator
● Spotter
● Harvester Clean-up

Drivers:

Drivers will transport passengers to and from work each day from housing. The drivers will return to the worksite each day. May be asked to log times in and out for workers. Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order. Complete accident reports when necessary. Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations. Prepare and submit reports that may include the number of passengers or trips, hours worked, mileage, and fuel consumption. Read maps and follow written and verbal geographic directions. Record vehicle routes. Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilation systems for passenger comfort. Report any vehicle malfunctions or needed repairs. Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations, using telephones. Test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.

Special Requirements

In order to drive, drivers must possess a valid drivers license (Class C or CDL) and must take a required medical exam.


At the beginning of the contract period, the Company will state in writing to all workers the following: All workers will have the opportunity to perform every single job duty present in this job order, including working with agricultural equipment operations or hand labor. All employees (H-2A and corresponding domestic workers) will sign up to perform the duties they have a preference to do for the season. The Employer will do its best to respect the Employees preferences on which job duties to perform. Employees may elect during the contract period to change job duties i.e. move from hand harvest to machine harvest or from machine harvest to hand harvest.