Farmworker/laborer

Job description

Thinning: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. Worker must possess ability to pick up, handle a 16-foot orchard ladder weighing 40lbs. Worker will remove the smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Workers will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged and/or with other quality problems as directed by supervisors.

Pruning: Pruning numerous varieties of apple, peach, plum and nectarine trees according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Worker will perform pruning on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment including hand shears, hand loppers, hand saws, and 16-foot ladders. Pruning and thinning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 16 feet in height or from a motorized platform. Workers may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size and color as instructed by supervisors. Worker must have pruning skills in order to identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward-growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoots/suckers and selectively remove diseased limbs and branches due to fire blight and/or bacterial canker with hand pruning saws and clippers, mechanized clippers and pole pruners or manually pulling/breaking new growth. Occasionally workers may be required to use chain saws and other mechanized equipment in pruning activities.

Planting: Worker will plant and replant new orchards. These tasks will include repetitive and physically demanding shovel work, lifting and placing of heavy 12 ft x 6 in poles.

Grafting: Grafting is when a section of a fruit tree stem with leaf buds is manually inserted into the stock of a planted fruit tree. Worker will be required to safely use a knife to cut off a branch of the understock, making a straight, slanting cut. Worker will then attach the cut section of the new stem to the stock of the tree and bind tightly with tape. All grafts must be covered with a protective coating immediately after completing the graft.

Tractor Driving: Some workers may be required to drive tractor and/or forklift. Employer will provide additional training for this task.

Mechanic: Worker will be responsible for general repairs and maintenance of farm equipment and irrigation on the farm. Worker will repair farm equipment using shop tools such as a torch, power saw, air impact, and wrench. Shop tools will be provided by employer.

Bus/Van Driving: If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law and provides proof of no infractions from official source, Employer may require worker to drive Employer-provided vehicle to and from the worksite and to locations within 30 miles as directed.

Farm Equipment Operation: Workers may be required to operate tractors and other farm equipment during field operations incidental to the production of the crop. Before any worker is required to operate any farm equipment, the worker will be instructed in the proper and safe operation of a tractor and applicable equipment. Workers will be required to operate tractors and equipment according to instructions and in a manner that protects the operator, other workers, trees, crops, and equipment. If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law and provides proof of no infractions from official source, Employer may require worker to drive semi-tractor. Failure to obey operating and safety instructions will result in progressive disciplinary action, described in attached work rules.

Pay will be hourly.

SEE ADDENDUM C FOR ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in general farm labor and hand harvest of nectarines, peaches, plums and apples.

Experience Requirement: 2 verifiable months commercial tree fruit hand harvest required. Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the last 5 years establishing acceptable prior experience.

Drug testing not utilized as pre-employment tool. See work rules for more information regarding post-employment drug testing.