Farmworker

Job description

General activities include, but are not limited to the following: Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade, clean and pack grapes. Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation. Thin fruit and remove shoots, leaves and vines. Transplant and train vines by positioning shoots in trellis. Perform vineyard maintenance activities including but not limited to weed control and trellis installation and repair. Install and maintain bird netting. Hand harvest grapes of correct size, color and ripeness. Do not detach stem from grape in harvest process. Worker will place grapes or grape clusters into harvest container until the correct level of fullness is reached. Worker will carry container to designated location for emptying or exchange with empty container. Worker will return to row and repeat process. Worker will not damage grapevine or grapes. Worker will clean grapes as shown, discarding damaged grapes and place appropriate amount of product into package, seal and stack. Sort, count, check, weigh, stack, unstack and mark boxes/flats. Some grapes will be taken to the winery and dumped into a crusher. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. Prepare fields. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Will perform general maintenance and indoor tasks or post-harvest activities when outdoor vineyard work is not available (all such activities will be performed incident to or in conjunction with vineyard operation). Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Must consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Mow fields and maintain grounds surrounding the vineyard. Lift, carry, and load/unload products, materials and/or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences and grapevine trellis systems. Workers must comply with safety guidelines for usage of tools and equipment. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.
Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker’s Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a two day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the introductory period if the worker’s performance fails to satisfy the employer’s reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Special Requirements

Three months of farmwork experience required. Work outside in inclement weather conditions including extreme temperatures and in areas where briers, poison ivy, insects and small varmint such as mice and ground hogs will be encountered. Crouch, reach, bend, and sit for extended periods of time. Lift, carry and load up to 50 pounds.