Fruit Harvester & Orchard Worker
Employer
Mt. Brook Farm/Main Office, 495 Clines Church Rd.
Gardners, PA 17324
United States
Job description
Crops/Commodities:
apples, peaches.
Harvest: Pick apples and peaches by hand for fresh market and processing. Spot and/or strip pick fruit based on seasonal need. Ensure removal of all fruit meeting picking requirements from trees. Gently snap fruit off tree with pads of fingers and palm of hand to avoid stem pulls, punctures, bruising, or other damage. Carefully place fruit in picking container worn over shoulder with straps. Empty filled picking container weighing up to 40 lbs into bulk field bin, avoiding bruising of fruit. Avoid/discard severely damaged or decaying fruit. Keep bins free of limbs, leaves, decayed fruit and any other foreign matter. Use/handle ladders up to 20 ft. in length and weighing up to 60 lbs. Follow supervisor/foreman's instructions on color/size or other requirements of harvested fruit. Must be able to differentiate between colors and fruit varieties accurately.
Harvesting specifics can change daily depending on different orchards, varieties (crop) or market conditions. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each fruit variety in any given orchard.
Supervisors will explain and demonstrate picking requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards. Minimum standard for clean-picked apples is 100 bushels per 8 hour day. Bruised or damaged fruit will be noted by supervisor(s) in a post-inspection quality report, and shall not exceed 5% as defined in the USDA standard for grade for processing apples and 2% for fresh apples. Worker's picked fruit will be inspected randomly each day. Supervisors may issue written disciplinary notice to workers with a significant number of culls, bruised, or damaged fruit. Repeated failure to follow quality control instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
In addition to hourly pay, workers may be eligible for sliding scale production bonuses based on number of bushels picked per hour, ranging from $0.02 per bushel to $0.40 and above, as variety, market and crop conditions determine.
Workers failing to produce a sufficient number of piece rate units to earn the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for all hours worked during a pay period will be paid on an hourly basis at the AEWR for that pay period. Workers paid on an hourly basis who fail to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner will be provided up to three warnings, and will be coached/instructed on working faster and more efficiently. Worker may be terminated upon issuance of third warning.
Thinning: Hand thin to control the size and quality of fruit. Remove excess and defective fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Must accurately identify and remove misshapen, damaged or otherwise unmarketable fruit.
General labor: Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling and other manual tasks. Clear debris and stones from orchards, and clean/maintain farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas. Remove suckers from tree bases. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Bending, stooping and kneeling required.
Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may be asked to drive other workers.
Work is done in the orchard for long periods of time. Workers will consistently handle product weighing up to 75 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet standing, bending over and climbing up/down ladders for extended periods of time.
Special Requirements
This job requires a minimum of three months of prior experience working in a diversified orchard, handling manual tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform all activities with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs. Workers that live in employer-provided housing must have or agree to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with company policy set forth in the Job Order.