Orchard Laborer - Pre-harvest Work
Employer
10217 Apple Harvest Dr
Martinsburg, WV 25403
United States
Job description
The job requires 3 months experience working in an orchard picking tree fruit by hand. Work activities
will include pre-harvest orchard maintenance such as pruning trees, removing weeds and vines, and
mowing. The job will include thinning fruit on the trees. Tractor driving may be required once an employee demonstrates knowledge and skill in the
operation of such. Hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks and shears
may be used. The main job task during harvesting is picking peaches and apples. The lower branches are picked first and then picking proceeds up the tree. Lower
branches are picked from standing on the ground. Ladders up to 22 feet long and weighing up to 50 pounds are used to pick upper branches. Picked fruit is placed in a molded plastic, canvas-covered picking bucket, with canvas straps that slip over the head and rest on the shoulders. Filled buckets, weighing up to 60 pounds, are emptied into bulk bins. Fruit will be sorted and packed in the packing shed. All fruit must be handled with care to
avoid bruising. Fruit injured by bruising shall not exceed 2% as defined in the U.S. standard for grades. Must be physically able to lift 60 pounds. Due to safety concerns of a farm, workers must understand some basic instruction in
English. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency.
Special Requirements
Given the demands and unpredictable nature of agriculture, workers may be asked, but not
required, to work longer hours than stated in the job offer information. Additionally, start and
end times may be adjusted daily to meet crop and weather conditions.