Farmworker/laborer

Job description

PRUNING: Worker will prune numerous varieties of apple trees according to established company procedures based on difference in treatment of different varieties. Worker performs pruning on trees for long periods of time using variety of pruning equipment including hand shears, hand loppers, hand saws, and 10-foot ladders. Pruning and thinning may be done from ground or up to 10 feet ladder or from motorized platform. Worker may be required to selectively prune only certain size and color trees as instructed by Employer.

Worker must possess or acquire pruning skills in order to identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward-growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoots/suckers with hand pruning saws and hand clippers, mechanized equipment in pruning activities.
Pay will be hourly.

TREE PLANTING: Worker will unbundle trees and at all times handled with care as not to break and damage young trees. Worker will plant trees mechanically with a planter and by hand. Worker will ride the mechanical planting machine and place plants in holes as the machine moves along the row. Worker will adjust tree graft union height by pulling the tree until it is at specified height determined by specially marked measurement stick. Worker will straighten tree and compact soil around tree.

Worker will assist in planting new fruit trees. Worker will use a hand-shovel to dig hole and carefully plant replacement trees in orchard block(s) that are already established.

Worker will prune newly planted trees per the direction of the owner/operator.
Pay will be hourly.

ORCHARD CLEARING: Worker will conduct tasks associated with the process of clearing old orchard ground from trees and loose, exposed, broken roots and rocks. Worker may use a tractor and chains to pull out tree material. Worker may use hand pruners or chain saw to reduce tree to a manageable size. A tractor and trailer will be used to pick up and transport waste material to a location on the farm for disposal.
Pay will be hourly.

ORCHARD SUPPORT SYSTEMS:
TRELLIS SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION/INSTALL: Worker will construct and install trellis system. Worker will place end post, end angle post and inline post using equipment including excavator and tractor with auger. Worker will use hand tools such as shovel and posthole digger. Posts must be aligned after placement with shovel, posthole digger, and level. Worker will drill post to install wire and then install tree support which may be performed by motorized platform or up to an 8’ ladder. Worker will be required to lift up to 60 pounds.

ATTACHING, TYING, & SPREADING TREES: Worker will attach, train and position trees to trellis system by clipping, tying or spreading limbs and shoots to wire from ground or up to 8’ ladder or from motorized platform.

ORCHARD/TRELLIS REMOVAL: Worker will remove wire, tree support, posts, anchors using equipment such as hatchet, pry bar, shovel.

TRUNK PAINTING: Worker will paint trunks of young trees using paint and brush or glove covered hand. This job is done manually and includes stooping down.

RODENT GUARDS: Worker will put plastic wraps on tree trunks. This job is done manually and includes stooping down.
Pay will be hourly.

THINNING: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. Worker must possess ability to pick up and handle 10-foot orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Thinning will be performed from a ladder or from a motorized platform. Worker removes smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within fruit cluster. Worker identifies and removes misshapen, damaged and/or other not quality fruit as directed by Employer.
Pay will be hourly.

BLOSSOM REMOVAL: Worker removes smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within fruit cluster by hand.
Pay will be hourly

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in (apples) pruning/training trees, tree planting, field preparation, orchard clearing, support system building, hand thinning, orchard maintenance, harvest, tractor driver during harvest.

Experience Requirement: 2 verifiable months tree fruit experience required. Applicants must furnish job references from employers of the last 5 years establishing acceptable prior experience.

Drug testing not utilized as pre-employment tool. See work rule rules for more information regarding post-employment drug testing.

Season Commitment: Job offered requires worker be available for and worker agrees to work every day that work is available for entire employment period.

Worker must be able to perform job description duties in safe manner consistent with established safety procedures.