Mechanical Grape Harvester Operators

Job description

Mechanical Grape Harvester Operators and Over-the-Row Sprayer to perform the following duties:

Operators must safely operate New Holland Braud Over-the-Row Tractor in wine grape vineyards, typically at night and on terrain with up to a 25% slope. This work includes pre shift maintenance and post shift cleaning and repairs.

Sprayer operators will be required to mix and load the sprayer and will be required to safely work around hazardous materials. Training will be provided in the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Operators are required to perform pre-shift inspections and necessary maintenance including greasing components and repairing worn items. Seating is at an elevated position approximately 8 ft above ground. Must be comfortable climbing ladders and working at elevated height for long hours. Once the required number of loads are harvested, operators must wash the machines using a pressurized 1.5" water hose to decontaminate the machine. Mechanical skills are required. Must be comfortable working at night, working in wet environment, and working with heavy equipment. Workers will be responsible for some of the basic repair and maintenance of the Braud machine. Before and after shift duties are compensated.

Spraying operations will run from June until August with Harvest going from August until November.

Workers will be provided with a pick-up trucks to drive from housing to worksites and from worksite to worksite. Workers will drive a minority of the work hours in this contract. (i.e. approximately 2 hours per day). At the end of the contract, drivers will have driven less than 50% of the total work hours, and thus, less than 50% of the total work days. Consequently, driving is not a primary job duty in this job order. Driving job duty is not a different job and the drivers perform the other job duties when not driving. Employees will be responsible for filling trucks with fuel and keeping vehicle clean. Employees will be required to follow all traffic laws and if applicable, vanpool rules. In order to drive, employee 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. Employee 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).

Employees are compensated for these activities. All employees engaged in driving activities (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (DL) on a voluntary basis. The DL is not a pre-hire job requirement. No job applicant will be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL or FLCE Certificate at the time of application and/or hiring. Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will be terminated for failure to obtain a DL or FLCE certificate.

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 costs for the driver to obtain their drivers license

Workers must have at least 3 months experience operating New Holland Braud mechanical grape harvester including operation on hilly terrain. Workers must be able to lift 50 lbs frequently, climb a ladder, and safely operate the Braud Harvester in a variety of terrain including hills up to 25% slope. Must be familiar with basic maintenance of the machine including cleaning and greasing procedures, appropriate adjustments for different varieties, replacement of worn items including belts and rods.