Orchard Worker

Job description

Crops/commodities
Apples, peaches

This job requires a minimum of two months prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary tasks will be harvesting apples and peaches. Harvest quality is essential. Different varieties of apples and peaches will be packed according to establish company procedures based on the end use (spot picking for fresh, small percentage for calls for processing.)

Workers must be able to differentiate between colors accurately in order to perform color specific picking. Must be able to carry and pick from 8 to 20-foot ladder and be able to carry up to 60 pounds. Must be able to move and position 8-to-20-foot ladder quickly.

Supervisors will explain and demonstrate if necessary picking requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards.

Pick fruit as directed as delete as by supervisor. Picking may be by clipping, color pick or size. Worker must be able to see green and red and differentiate between green, cream and yellow background color on apples to determine maturity level and percent of red color for market requirements. Worker must be able to differentiate between apple varieties so as not to mix apple varieties in the same bin or pick a variety that is not yet mature. Workers should not pick up fruit that has fallen on the ground or knock the fruit out with a ladder or a prop. Use both hands to pack and fill the bucket to keep it level. Clippers are used for some varieties for harvesting for removal of stems by clipping.

Care must be taken when picking so as not to damage or bruise fruit. Workers must be able to pick and dump fruit without stem pulls, punctures, bruising, sunburn, insect damage, cracks, bird pecks or other damage which diminishes quality. Observation of bruised, damage or cull fruit by the supervisor, or as indicated on the pick quality report, will result in a verbal disciplinary warning. A written disciplinary warning may occur when a bin is inspected any significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit are found by the supervisor. Upon the third notice of workers employment may be terminated.

Worker must be able to unload the picking bag into the bin without causing bruising (slowly with a flowing motion, without leaving the bag against the side of the bin). Fill the bin from all sides. Do not let the fruit roll in the bin. The supervisor will inform workers how full to fill the bin. Worker must be able to hold the packing bag so as not to cause bruising when climbing down a ladder.

General

Workers will perform any of the following duties. Orchard maintenance, pulling weeds, picking up stones and roots, cleaning equipment, removal of strings and wire from trellises, removal of reflective tarps that are in the rows, and other hand tasks. Care of young non-producing fruit trees, including weeding, tree trunk painting, and hand clipping. Hand pruning may be done on an 8 foot ladder.

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 to 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. Work assignments will be made at the sole discretion of the employer conditional on unforeseen circumstances such as whether or other unscheduled/unexpected interruptions in regular work.

Continued on addendum C.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of two months of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required after a worker has an accident at work.