Farmworkers & Laborers - Crop - Grapes

Job description

Workers will be involved in seasonal maintenance and care of grapevines and other agricultural crops grown on the property. Duties include manually plant, cultivate, weed, prune, train and harvest grapes; use hand tools, such as shovels, hoes, pruning shears; till soil, apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides; plant and transplant vines; thin, prune and shoot position crops; harvest, clean, grade, sort, pack and handle harvested product; carry and move lugs of grapes equipment and other items weighing up 75 pounds; may also construct trellises, repair deer fences and farm buildings and participate in irrigation activities. Employers will work side-by-side with workers to insure work quality.

A designated lead worker or company supervisor will provide general supervision. Technical horticultural activities will be closely supervised. However, workers will be expected to perform their general duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision.

The worksite vineyards uses organic and sustainable viticultural practices. Nonetheless, employer will comply with re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields.

The employer at no cost will provide to the worker, any tools or equipment necessary to perform required tasks. Tasks will be related to the planting, transplanting, growing, cultivating, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting and sorting/grading of grapes. Workers may be required to do any other manual task involved in the production of grapes including but not limited to removing and spreading vines, laying, spreading and removing posts and trellis wires and such other agricultural labor that may be needed upon the premises. All work must be performed carefully according to instruction to avoid damage to vines and grapes.

Must be able to work outdoors in dusty and dirty conditions, in extremes of heat, cold and humidity, and in inclement weather. Must be able to crouch, bend, and sit on the ground, reach and lift and carry items weighing up to 75 pounds. Must be able to listen to, understand, and follow simple instructions of field operations leaders and supervisors. Must be able to work in fields where briers, poison ivy, multiple insects and small varmint such as mice and ground hogs, will be encountered. Due to the technical nature of pruning and training vines, workers will be expected to perform these tasks without injury or damage to vines or fruit.

A minimum of three months experience is required pruning grapevines; shoot positioning grapevines; and planting/transplanting grapevines.

Because some work is technical in nature and may involve the use of farm implements and equipment that pose physical risks, workers may not report for work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company property is prohibited and will be cause for termination. Because we are an organic operation, no tobacco smoking is allowed on the premises.

Special Requirements

Please see job Offer A-8a Job Duties for a description of duties to be performed. To explain above checked job requirements: Lifting - 75lbs is the weight of log boxes full of grapes; Extensive walking - we work 13 acres with a 13% incline grade that requires walking up and down rows to individually tend to each grapevine. Stooping, crouching, bending & sitting is required for planting/transplanting vines, pruning them, removing trunk shoots and during harvest. Repetitive movements including shoot positioning and typing up vines as well as hoeing, weeding, harvesting and many other manual tasks. We work outdoors in dusty and dirty conditions, in extremes of heat and cold, and in inclement weather. Work is performed in fields where briers, poison ivy, insects and small vermin such as mice, red fox, voles and ground hogs may be encountered. Viticulture work is not for the faint of heart!