Field Worker (wine Grapes)

Job description

Vineyard Worker (Wine grapes):

Duties vary depending on the specific part of the growing season:

Work in the grape vineyards during growing season (non-harvest) (January-March) will include prune dormant cane, using pruning shears; reposition support wires, for vines, by removing clips; cutting and moving wires, and securing in new positions; tie vines to lead wires on trellises, using florist tape, in order to position and/or train new growth.

Work in the grape vineyards during growing season (approximately April through July/August) will include:

Remove shoots and excess fruit, by hand, to reduce crop yield and enhance quality; remove lowest leaves, by hand, from vertical shoots to enhance exposure to direct sunlight.

Work in the grape vineyards during harvest season (late August/September through October) will include harvest grapes by hand or hand shears and load grapes onto trays (30-40 lbs.) and load onto field trailers.

**Medical exam and drug test required post-offer and paid by the employer.

Quality Control workers are responsible for counting tubs, reviewing the quality of the grapes in the tub and removing grapes from the tubs that are not up to the quality standards.

Works as a member of a crew, or individually performing moderately complex tasks that require limited judgment. Use standard tools such as rakes, long-handled hoes, and shovels.

Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to wine grape field and harvest work including but not limited to packing, closing/stacking boxes in and around the vineyard, and clean-up functions in and around the vineyard. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor.

Special Requirements

Must have 1-month work experience with wine grapes in vineyards including pre-harvest work as defined in this application. Workers must be able to lift 30-40 lbs. frequently. No smoking or illegal weapons or controlled substances in the vineyards or in the houses. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Able to stoop, bend, and work in cold and wet conditions. Able to use tools such as pruning shears, grape knives, hand saws, weed eaters, hedgers, shovels. Workers may use chains saws. Safety use and training provided by employer. Workers must abide by Employer housing rules. Proficiency in English or Spanish is required for training and safety purposes. (i.e., workers must listen to, understand, and follow instructions of Employer, supervisors, and managers.) See Addendum C.