Field Workers

Job description

Agricultural Field Worker (Wine Grapes and Apples): Work with apples and grapes throughout growing season. Tasks include Non-Harvest tasks including: Non-Harvest agricultural work, including hoeing (long-handled hoe); tying vines; installing and removing apple props; and vineyard staking; pruning; suckering (removing the growth of a plant that produces new shoots at the base or below ground traveling out from the plant base); planting; training; shoot positioning; shoot thinning; shoot trimming; leaf picking or pulling, land prepping; vineyard staking; irrigating; irrigation installations; and erosion control.

Harvesting apples and grapes. Workers will use pruning shears, shovels for planting, hand hoes for hoeing (long-handled hoe), hands for picking, and knives for grape harvest.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to field, ranch facilities, vineyard and orchard work including but not limited to packing apples and grapes, closing/stacking boxes in and around the field, ranch facilities, orchards and vineyards, and clean-up functions in and around the field, ranch facilities, housing, orchards, and vineyards. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor.
Forklift Driver: (Non-Harvest) under the direction of the supervisor the driver is responsible for loading, unloading and moving materials for general vineyard labor (Non-Harvest). Directing forklift through the field, and movement to a new location. Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating forklift. Required basic knowledge of driving a forklift, must pass a forklift safety training and demonstrate ability to operate forklift in a safe manner.
Agricultural Equipment Operator: (Non-Harvest)Under the direction of the supervisor the driver is responsible for driving and controlling tractors in and around the fields or movement to a new location. Directing tractor/machine through field doing various tasks during the season. Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating tractor/machine. Required to have basic knowledge of driving a tractor/machine, must pass tractor/machine safety training and demonstrate ability to operate tractor/machine.

Agriculture Mechanic: (Non-Harvest) Under the direction of supervisor repair and maintain tractors, farm vehicles and farm equipment. Perform basic service and repairs in the mechanics shop which is located directly on Dutton Ranch or in the field (i.e. the shop is located directly on a farm. In addition, Dutton Ranch operates both as a fixed site grower and Farm Labor Contractor. The equipment serviced belongs exclusively to Dutton Ranch and is used for its own farming operations. Must be able to use tools correctly. Must be able to lift 50lbs., pass safety training and have 1 year of mechanic experience.

Special Requirements

Must have 3 months work experience with wine grapes and apples in vineyards and orchards including pre-harvest and harvest apple work and pre-harvest grape growing work as defined in this application. Workers must be able to lift 45 lbs frequently. Workers must be able to climb ladders holding bags for harvesting apples. No smoking allowed in the fields or dormitories, cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops, able to use shears and other agricultural tools, conditions of housing include no smoking, illegal drugs, no use of marijuana, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the dormitories. See addendum C.