Vineyard Worker

Job description

Vineyard Worker to perform the following duties:

Canopy, fruit thinning, leafing, harvesting, tractor driving, clean-up, hoeing, installing wire & trellis, suckering, planting vines, erosion control, pruning, install irrigation, install stakes, clear brush, chain saw work(pruning, mostly clearing brush, cut trees, cut cordons), and other related viticulture operations. Workers need to be able to stoop, bend, and work in cold and wet conditions and be able to use tools such as pruning shears, grape knives, hand saws, chain saws, weed eaters, hedgers, shovels. Work is performed outdoors in vineyards and can involve exposure to sun, wind, mud, dust, heat, cold, wet, humid, warm, dry, and other elements of the normal field environment.

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays. The employer will comply with all worker protection standards and re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable worker\protection standards and re-entry times. Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers. The employer hereby specifies that the workers will be using a long-handled hoe (longer than 4 feet) for all weeding activities. There will not be any hand weeding. The workers will be hand thinning the grape vines by removing leaves. A hoe cannot be used for this because the leaves are above ground attached to the vine. The workers conduct the removal while both squatting and standing, but not on their knees. Leaf removal via hand thinning is essential for Grape Harvest: as it improves vine air circulation, exposes the fruit to more sunlight, and improves the overall quality of the grapes.

Special Requirements

Must have 3 months of wine grape experience. Workers must be able to lift 50 lbs frequently. No smoking, drinking, or illegal weapons or controlled substances in the fields or in housing. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Able to stoop, bend, walk extensively, 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.)