Vineyard Worker

Job description

Vineyard Workers carry out specific jobs as assigned by Vineyard Manager. Upon direction, performs a variety of manual, repetitive tasks such as pruning, tying, sucker, leaf, thin, harvest. May be assigned other functions as needed. Wine Grape Worker to perform all aspects of wine grape related duties including:
• Responsible for the completion of specific tasks as assigned
• Prunes and ties grape vines
• Trains and removes suckers from vines as needed
• Trains and removes leaves from vines as needed
• Harvests crop
• Determines which grapes are suitable for Harvest
• Cuts bunch of grapes from vine with knife
• Moves picking tray between vines until full
• Dumps full picking tray into gondola
• Performs essential functions such as pruning according to instructions, cuts away excessive growth using pruning knife and shears
• Performs other duties as agricultural in nature
There will not be any hand weeding. The workers will be hand thinning the grape vines by removing leaves. A hoe cannot be used for this because the leaves are above ground attached to the vine. The workers conduct the removal while both squatting and standing, but not on their knees. Leaf removal via hand thinning is essential for Grape Harvest: as it improves vine air circulation, exposes the fruit to more sunlight, and improves the overall quality of the grapes.

The employer hereby specifies that the workers will be using a long-handled hoe (longer than 4 feet) for all weeding activities.

Special Requirements

Workers must be able to lift 50 lbs frequently. No smoking, drinking, or illegal weapons or controlled substances in the fields or in housing. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Able to stoop, bend, and work in cold and wet conditions. Able to use tools such as pruning shears, grape knives, hand saws, weed eaters, hedgers, shovels. Workers may use chains saws. Safety use and training provided by employer. Workers must abide by Employer housing rules. Proficiency in English or Spanish is preferred for training and safety purposes. (i.e., Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of Employer supervisors and managers.) Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours.

See addendum C.