Drivers/ Field Workers (wine Grapes)

Job description

Duties vary depending on the growing season:

Work in grape vineyards during growing season (January 2025 through March 2025) will include hoeing (long handled hoe) and pruning and various vineyard activities.

Work in grape vineyards during growing season (approximately mid-April 2025 through May 2025) will include weed removal and vine suckering and various vineyard activities.

Workers will occasionally perform vineyard weeding using
shovels over 4 ft in length. The employer will provide training, gloves, and knee pads in
prevention of work-related injuries at no cost to workers if required.
Work in grape vineyards during growing season (approximately June 2025 through July 2025) will include leaf removal and various vineyard activities.

Work in grape vineyards on non-harvest activities (approximately August 2025 through mid-September 2025) will include early season crop removal, move wires, picking, root picking, irrigation, field maintenance, canopy management, shoveling, stake removal and replacement and various vineyard activities.

Work in grape vineyards during harvest season (approximately mid-September 2025 through November 2025) will include picking wine grapes and activities directly related to wine grape picking and various vineyard activities.

Non-harvest related activities continue during harvest time of the year but are not directly related to wine grape picking and include fence repair, trellis repair, post removal and replacement, drainage, field gutters, plant new vineyard including digging, raking, clean up and post pounding and various vineyard activities.
Harvest activities include using sharp picking knives, standing, and kneeling on ground to pick fruit, sorting grapes

Tractor Driver:
Tractor drivers will drive and control tractors in fields. Tractors have a capacity of under 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Commercial drivers' license not required to drive tractors.

Cellar Job Duties:
Responsibilities will include Sorting grapes, Wash bins, equipment sanitation and cleanup. Tank pump overs, barrel work, wine racking and stacking boxes.

Additional Vineyard Work duties throughout the season
Chopping, discing, cultivation, fungicide application with backpack and/or tractor sprayer; Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers. and herbicide application with hand sprayer.. Apply chemical solutions to plants to protect against disease or insects or to enhance growth.

CalVans Driver/ Enterprise/ Mendoza Vehicle:
1. Driver may drive over the road in passenger vans.
2. Driver will drive designated vans to transport harvest crew workers to and from housing and worksite locations. Driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform harvesting job duties when not driving.
3. Driver will be responsible for filling van with fuel and keeping vehicle clean.
4. Driver will be required to complete and process periodic driving reports as required by state laws.
5. Driver will be required to follow all traffic laws and if applicable, vanpool rules.
6. In order to drive, drivers must possess a valid authorized driver’s license and must be able to pass DOT (Department of Transportation) recognized medical exam and fulfill all other DOT requirements.
7. Van Driver performs the medical exam at no cost to the employee or employer. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the registration as an FLCE driver (if any).
8. Direct and monitor the work of seasonal farmworkers during pre-harvest and harvesting.

Special Requirements

Driver Requirements:
1) Type of drivers license required: Class C California license (or equivalent from another state)
2) The employer will pay all associated cost in order for the driver to obtain his drivers license.

3 months of experience working with wine grapes is required. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.