Vineyard Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Grapes, vegetables, and other garden crops.
This job requires workers to perform agricultural field work in a vineyard handling manual tasks including pruning, thinning and harvesting activities associated with production of grapes.

Plant, cultivate, and harvest grapes, vegetables, and other garden crops. Performs tasks under supervision in vineyard/winery operation. Thin fruit and remove shoots and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities, including mowing and weeding. Install and maintain vine trellises. Tie vines to trellises. Must possess the requisite skills and knowledge of what, when, where and how much to prune on a grape vine. Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Must demonstrate and consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health. Manage vineyard canopy management to permit light and air circulation. Install and maintain bird netting. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. May perform general tasks relative to vineyard and winery operation when work in vineyard is not available. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling product weighing up to 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 10 to over 100 degrees F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors.

Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings. Non-employees access to work sites or adjacent areas strictly prohibited. Non-working minors may not be present, adjacent to worksites, or left in vehicles during the day.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience.

Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

The employer may discipline the worker, including brief suspension of work activities/employment for a set period determined by the supervisor or termination of employment as described in the Work Rules.

The vehicles provided to workers (van, SUVs, pick-up truck, etc.) are for multi-purpose use on an as-needed basis (e.g.

Special Requirements

This job requires workers to perform agricultural field work in a vineyard handling manual tasks including pruning, thinning and harvesting activities associated with production of grapes. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.