Farmworkers & Laborers & Agricultural Equipment Operator
Employer
507 Bunker Hill Road
Oswego, NY 13126
United States
Job description
All applicants must be able, willing and qualified to perform the work described in the job order and must be available for the entire period of employment specified in Section A.3 & A.4. This work order is for qualified individuals to perform a combination of tasks involved in the operation of a farm. Workers will drive and operate farm machinery used to grow tree fruits, including apples, pears, and plums, and may also operate harvesting machines. Workers will attach implements and operate tractors with instruments used for cultivating, discing, and planting apple, pear, and plum trees. Workers may be asked to operate trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles to transport workers from housing (whether on or off farm) to the farm properties; haul tools, supplies, or crops; transport workers from place to place around the farm properties during the workday (including on public roads to reach farmer's fields); and/or transport workers to the grocery store, bank, or laundry facilities on an as needed basis. Workers that are requested to drive will be required to possess a valid driver’s license; no worker will be rejected for not having a driver's license. Workers who do drive will still perform the same field work and other duties as non-driving workers; driving is not a primary duty. Workers will be compensated at the correct rate of pay for all hours worked including when they are performing the employer’s obligation of driving Workers must be able to safely operate agricultural equipment and may use hand tools including, but not limited to, shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, hand saws, and knives. Workers will prune and thin trees such as apple, pear, and plum trees. This includes performing light summer pruning and suckering by cutting terminal growth and water sprouts from inside the tree using hand pruners, as well as thinning orchards to remove diseased or non-productive trees using a chainsaw. Workers will assist with weed control around the orchard and may use gas-powered weed trimmers. The work assigned is physically demanding and requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and climbing ladders. Workers must be able to lift and carry up to 80 pounds on a frequent basis. Workers will harvest apples and pears, and apples injured by bruising during picking must not exceed 1 percent (WNY) for fresh market fruit and 1 percent (WNY) for processing fruit. Workers must meet a minimum productivity standard of six bins, or 120 bushels, for fresh market fruit and/or eight bins, or 160 bushels, for processing fruit per day. Workers are expected to report to work wearing their own suitable clothing and must be willing and able to perform duties in a variety of weather conditions, including damp and cold spring and fall days as well as hot, humid summer days. Field temperatures may range from 0 to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and work may occur in wet morning conditions. Due to health and safety concerns related to the operation of farm equipment, workers must be able to understand and follow simple instructions in English. Workers must have a minimum of three months of experience. Workers may require to work 8-hour shifts within the hours of 7:00am to 7:00pm from Monday through Friday. This schedule totals 40 hours per week. The 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. range accounts for varying orchard conditions (e.g. weather, crop maturity, harvest demands) to ensure that workers are able to complete the required weekly hours. Workers will not be scheduled to work a full 12-hour shift . Workers will be given a 60-minute lunch break which is staggered between 11am to 1pm as decided by the workers. Workers may choose where to eat their lunch and return to work after their 60 minutes are up. Workers will also receive a 15-minute break in the morning and a 15-minute break in the afternoon as agreed upon by the worker and management. The daily and weekly work schedules may vary depending on orchard condition
Special Requirements
The employer reserves the right to conduct random drug screenings at their discretion. These screenings will be performed at no cost to the employee and are intended to ensure workplace safety and compliance with company policies.