Farmworkers/laborers

Job description

General Specifications: Daily individual and/or crew work assignments will be made by, and at the sole discretion of, the employer as the needs of the business operation dictate. Workers must perform the assigned work and may not switch work assignments without specific authorization of a company supervisor. Workers must be willing, able, available, and qualified to perform the job duties described herein, with reasonable accommodations. Specifically, workers will be expected to work in a productive and proficient manner. This means they will work at a diligent pace that is reasonable given the task at hand and given the efforts of similarly situated co workers. All work must be performed in a manner that exhibits Safety Quality Food (SQF) and the utmost in food safety at all times.

Instructions and general supervision will be provided by a designated crew leader or company supervisor. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality inspections and good agricultural practices must be rigorously adhered to. All workers will be evaluated by their supervisor(s) after seven days. Employer reserves the right to discharge anyone who is not working skillfully, adequately and/or not following company standards; anyone who fails to keep up with the reasonable pace set by fellow crew members, demonstrably unqualified workers, or workers who, after reasonable coaching and notice, continue to perform in a manner that interferes with the employer's effort to efficiently grow and harvest a premium quality product. Work must be of good and acceptable quality.

All safety rules and instructions must be meticulously observed throughout the workday. All WFAS rules and policies must be followed, to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of this Clearance Order and/or the U.S. Department of Labor's H-2A regulations. All Food Safety rules must be adhered to, including the wearing of, but not limited to, hairnets, beard nets, plastic gloves, aprons, sleeves. A copy of the applicable rules and policies will be provided to each worker on or before the first day of work. Failure to comply with the Company policies and/or meet expectations will result in the applications of disciplinary procedures, up to and including termination.

Employer will guarantee the required wage for work performed in Washington at the time that the work is performed. (currently $17.13/hr for H-2A workers in employer provided housing, and $19.00/hr for all other workers). Employer assures that the required wage rate will be paid at the time that the work is performed. Orientation and all meetings will be paid at the applicable hourly rate.

Job Description: Under the direction of a crew supervisor, this application encompasses thinning, pruning, training and other orchard labor. The worker will perform duties on a motorized platform, from the ground and/ or utilizing a ladder. The worker must possess the ability to pick-up and handle a 10-12 ft. orchard ladder. All other duties assigned under this order are those of the Farm Worker, Diversified Crops, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC): 45-2092 job under the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The worker will be assigned work by the supervisor and may perform any of the duties herein. Worker will harvest in a safe, effective manner obeying all work and safety rules, being observant of moving equipment, slip and trip hazards and other potentially dangerous situations, reporting some to supervisors. Worker will report all injuries: use safety procedures while sharpening knives and performing job.

Special Requirements

Job Requirements: 3 months of experience working with tree fruit crops. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of the product, able to use shears, clippers and other agricultural tools, no smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Must be able to communicate in English or Spanish as it is required for training and safety purposes. Work is performed outdoors in open fields and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold and other elements of the normal field environment. Temperatures can range from 20 degrees F to over 100 degrees F during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the work and working conditions described.

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays.