Orchard Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Harvesting of apples, pears and cherries; thinning and pruning of apples, pears and cherries.
This job requires a minimum of one month of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production and showing proficiency with orchard ladder use. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary tasks will be thinning/harvesting fruit and pruning trees.

General

Instructions and overall supervision and direction of workers will be provided by a company supervisor. Workers hired pursuant to this labor certification must be able to comprehend and follow instructions of a company supervisor and communicate effectively with supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers will be expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must be able to keep pace with the balance of the crew.

Work assignments will be made at the sole discretion of the employer conditional on unforeseen circumstances such as weather or other unscheduled/unexpected interruptions in regular work. Workers must perform the assigned work and may not perform duties not provided in this application, or work in areas not assigned without the specific authorization of the foreman or crew boss. Workers will be expected to perform any of the listed duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

Workers will be required to attend an orientation on workplace rules, policies and safety information prior to beginning work on or after the date of need.

Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers’ ability to perform the job. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Work is to be done for long periods of time. Temperatures may range from 60 to 105 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Saturday work is required.

Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodation. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

The job requires regular standing and walking. Employees are frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl under trellis wires. Workers must be able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. throughout the course of the day. Ladders 10-12 feet in length are an essential tool in pruning, thinning and picking fruit. Workers will receive hands-on training to ensure the safe use of ladders. Workers should not lean the ladder on leaders, lean off to one side of the ladder, or stand on the last two steps. Do not climb the trees; use a ladder. If unsure of how to use the ladder safely, worker must ask a crew boss. Workers must keep the work area clean and safe by keeping cut branches away from the walking area to prevent tripping and falling.

Qualified workers (workers who possess at least one season of previous experience performing the following duties) may be offered tasks including, but not limited to, the operation of general purpose vehicles to transport equipment and product from one field location or facility to another and the operation of tractors, sprayers and turf mowing equipment. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the vehicles/equipment before driving/operation.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of one month of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production and showing proficiency with orchard ladder use. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary tasks will be thinning/harvesting fruit and pruning trees. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required at random, upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work.