Ag Equipment Operator

Job description

Agricultural Equipment Operators perform specific jobs assigned by Vineyard Manager. Agricultural Equipment Operators perform a variety of mechanical tasks, including but not limited to discing, mowing, hedging, and operating specialized tractor equipment (leaf puller, duster, sprayer, machine harvester, etc.). Agricultural Equipment Workers will perform all aspects of vineyard-related tractor and equipment activities including:
- Completion of specific tasks as assigned
- Assistance with soil preparation
- Installation and maintenance of trellises/supports
- Installation and maintenance of irrigation system
- Harvesting of crops, harvest spotter and machine harvester
- Performance of other activities agricultural in nature, including a variety of manual, repetitive tasks generally performed by Vineyard Workers, such as watering, weeding, loading/unloading containers and trucks, pruning, tying, training and removing suckers and leaves, thinning, harvesting, trimming, staking and irrigating. Agricultural Equipment Operators may perform other functions as needed, including but not limited to all aspects of vineyard related duties including:
. Completion of specific tasks as assigned
. Pruning and tying grape vines
. Training and removing suckers from vines as needed
. Training and removing leaves from vines as needed
. Thinning fruit/ weeds to improve fruit/ crop quality
. Harvesting crops
. Determining which grapes are suitable for Harvest
. Cutting bunches of grapes from vine with knife
. Moving picking trays between vines until full
. Dumping full picking trays into gondola
. Performing essential functions such as pruning according to instructions, cutting away excessive growth using pruning knife and shears
. Assisting with soil preparation
. Installing and maintaining trellises/supports
. Installing and maintaining irrigation system
. Clearing fields of rocks and other debris
. Performing other duties agricultural in nature
. Identifying weed from crops

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

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 must possess a valid US driver's license. 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.