Farm Worker

Job description

Workers must work at a sustained, vigorous pace and make bona fide efforts to work productively and consistently in a manner that is reasonable under the climatic and other working conditions experienced. Workers must perform in a manner reasonably consistent with the amount, quality, and efficiency of work accomplished by their coworkers. Workers should be able to work on their feet in stooped positions for long periods of time. Repetitive movements and extensive walking are often required. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, inspect spray, related chemicals, etc., may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Field workers are exposed to a range of climatic conditions ranging from cool and wet to hot and dry. Temperatures may range from 10 to over 100 F depending on the season and time of day. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers that are not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers must possess the strength and stamina to do the required work, including the ability to lift and carry 65 lbs. Occasionally, work will be required on Saturdays and offered, but not required, on Sundays. Persons seeking employment as experienced Farm Workers must be available for the entire period required by the employer. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statements establishing relevant prior work experience.

Pruning:
Company supervisors will explain and demonstrate, if necessary, pruning requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure consistent quality standards. Different varieties of peaches and grapes will be pruned according to established company procedures based on specific requirements of the various fruit types and varieties. Workers must be able to distinguish between different limb positions, plant vigor, sunlight capture, and productive (fruiting wood) and non-productive (non-fruiting wood) to be able to competently, efficiently, and effectively prune fruit trees/vines. Workers will rake and gather pruned branches from the area for disposal. Pruners will be required to cut branches carefully and cleanly. Much of the pruning work in peaches will be done from an 8 to 10-foot ladder. Employees will be expected to use all equipment in a safe and prudent manner to avoid injury. Care must be taken when pruning so as to provide the right amount of tree limb/vine elimination. Pruning affects harvest fruit yields and quality significantly. Incorrect pruning can cause reductions in both the quality and quantity of fruit harvested and must be prevented diligently.

Blossom and Peach Thinning:
Thinning is a manual process used to control the size, crop load, and fruit quality of cultivated fruit. Employees will be given appropriate initial and ongoing training as needed by supervisors. The ability to pick up, use, and safely handle an 8 to 10-foot orchard ladder weighing approximately 40 lbs. is necessary for the performance of thinning tasks. This process requires the employee to remove fruit buds, blossoms and/or identifiable fruit from a branch or from within a cluster of other fruits. Workers will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is smaller, misshapen, damaged, and/or has other quality problems as directed by supervisors. Harvesting of peaches and grapes is specifically targeted to precise timing based on the maturity of the individual fruit. Different varieties of peaches and grapes will be picked according to the criteria and procedures established by company owners/supervisors.

Special Requirements

Three (3) months experience in pruning, thinning and/or harvesting tree fruit and grapevines. Must be able to lift
and carry 65 pounds.
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Tres (3) meses de experiencia en poda, adelgazamiento y/o cosecha de rboles frutales y vides de uva. Debe
poder levantar y cargar 65 libras.