Farmworker/crew Lead

Job description

This contract encompasses supervising general farm labor and labor for harvest of apples, and pears.

The worker will supervise the work of farmworkers and communicate with other team members and fixed-site employer during harvest. The worker will also drive the crew members between housing locations and worksites. Bus driver/supervisor will pick up workers from housing, take them to worksites, walk field, supervise workers, and drive them back to their housing. They will also assist in ensuring proper field sanitation efforts are met, such as clean drinking water, bathroom and handwashing facilities available to workers. Driver/supervisor is required to live in the housing provided by the employer and take workers once a week to the grocery store.

Job Duties to be supervised:
APPLE/PEAR Harvest: Worker will hand harvest apples and pears. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and picks low hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. Worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping fruit with the hands and removing from the tree in a motion so as not to harm the fruit or adjacent buds on the tree branches. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 60 lbs. and will place fruit into bins, which hold approximately 25 bushels of fruit. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be required to examine harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications. Workers must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. When using the ladder, worker will exercise caution to ensure ladders is safely set and ready to be used. Worker will check ladders daily for damage and repair upon arrival to designated row. Worker will be assigned a designated row by a manager on duty. Worker will check picking bag daily for damage and repair. Worker will wash picking bag at end of every day.

Special Requirements

This job opportunity requires 3 months of tree fruit experience.

4e) Must be able to lift and/or load 60lbs. When lifting loads heavier than 60 pounds, use two or more people to lift the load.
4g) Work may take place when temperatures are below freezing and above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
4h) May require extensive pulling and/or pushing of tools, wheelbarrows, fruit containers, etc.
4i) May require worker to sit and/or walk for extensive periods of time.
4j) Workers may be required to stoop and/or bend over while performing farm labor training tasks such as weeding, irrigating, pruning, picking, removing debris, etc.
4k) There may be repetitive movements while performing most of the training for farm labor duties.