Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
grapefruit, grapes, lemons, oranges, minneolas.
Plant, cultivate, and hand harvest citrus crops. Walk rows/aisles in grove, carry ladder to/from field truck, and position ladder against tree within reach of fruit. Climb up and down ladder with picking sack to harvest. Remove fruit from tree and place into picking sack. Must take care to avoid breaking limbs, knocking off fruit, damaging tree, or slipping/falling from ladder. Move full picking sacks to box/tub located in grove. Fully-loaded picking sack may weigh up to 100 pounds depending on size, condition and variety of fruit. Bruised or damaged fruit will be noted by supervisors during quality control checks. Supervisors may issue written disciplinary notice to workers with a significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit. Repeated failure to follow quality control instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. May perform miscellaneous grove clean-up duties when harvest work not available (or when workers placed on light duty after injury). Clean-up activities include sprouting, pruning, debris removal, weeding or vine removal, irrigation maintenance or repair, or other related tasks. Worker should be aware of and avoid thorns.

Plant, cultivate, and/or harvest grapes. Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation. Thin fruit and remove shoots, leaves and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities including but not limited to weed control and trellis installation and repair. Install and maintain bird netting. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. May perform general indoor tasks or post-harvest activities when outdoor vineyard work is not available (all such activities will be performed incident to or in conjunction with vineyard operation). Must possess the requisite skills and knowledge of what, when, where and how much to prune on a grape vine. Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Must demonstrate and consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health.

Workers must be able to perform the job and its requirements as defined in this clearance order after a reasonable period of on the job training. We consider 7 to 10 days from the worker's initial date of employment as a reasonable period of on the job training. The production standard includes keeping up with the pace of the harvest crew in performing the required job duties and at the time the work is performed. The average picking rate of a worker may vary throughout the season based on weather, fruit/ vegetable quantity, size and variety and other factors. The employer has determined to the best of its ability the following minimum production standard: 1.5 bins per day at the start of the season, increasing to 2-3 bins per day after two weeks. Bin measurement is 48” x 48” x 24”.

Workers may operate farm machinery, equipment and vehicles. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the equipment before driving the equipment. Workers will be expected to be able to operate equipment, with or without direction, in a manner that protects the operator, visitors, other employees, crops, facilities and equipment. Employee may drive Cal Van over the road. Employee may pick up workers from different housing sites/pick up points and take them to an assigned work site and at the end of the day take them back to the housing site/pick up point. In order to drive a Cal Van, employees must possess valid driver's license (state issued) and must be able to pass Class B Physical exam and register as an FLCE driver. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the California Driver's License, Class B Physical Exam, and registration as an FLCE driver (if any).

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience handling tasks associated with production of grapefruit, grapes, lemons, minneolas and/or oranges. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs.