Farm Workers And Laborers, Crop

Job description

Nursery:
Bare root tree production: Workers may be required to work on the ground tying branches with twine or hauling trees through the field and loading them onto trucks by hand. Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs. Workers will be responsible for identifying, budding & grafting bare root trees and seedlings. Manually plant, transplant, harvest bareroot trees. Workers will also hoe, weed, suckering trees, and trimming trees.

Peaches:
Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. This application
encompasses the main jobs performed in a fruit orchard during production and harvest seasons. Workers will be
expected to perform any of the listed duties as assigned by his/her supervisor. Tasks include:
- Fruit tree pruning: Workers may also be required to work in orchard performing both manual and machine tasks associated with pruning
and fruit tree cultivation. Careful pruning requires knowledge of what to prune, how much to prune and fruit trees’
growth habits. The primary reason for pruning fruit trees is to improve fruit quality and increase crop marketability and
value. Peach production requires regular tree maintenance and pest management to produce quality fruit.
Workers are expected to possess or acquire pruning skills in order to be able 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 with hand pruning saws and clippers, mechanized clippers and pole pruners. Occasionally workers
may be required to use chain saws and other mechanized equipment in pruning activities. Workers must be able to
perform all activities with accuracy and efficiency. Workers must possess proficiency with both hand tools and
mechanical pruning equipment. Pruning tasks may continue throughout the season.

Alternative Work;
General farm maintenance and other duties as required in the farming operation maintenance. Includes, but not limited to, preparing barns, draining fields, preparing land for planting, maintenance of tools & equipment, and other work as directly related to the crop activities for which the worker is hired. Also includes fixing, clearing, and painting of fences / barns. Such work will be offered when climate or crop conditions preclude working in the primary activities listed above.

General Conditions:
A normal work week is Monday through Friday from 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m and Saturday 07:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If work is available beyond normal workdays, employer may offer, but not require, worker an opportunity to work additional hours. Workers will report to work at designated time and place as directed by assigned employer each day. However, workers may be requested to ten (10) hours per day depending on the conditions in the fields and the maturity of the crops. Also, workers may be requested to work on federal holidays and their Sabbath but will not be required to do so. Workers may volunteer to work additional hours when work is available.

Down time: Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer’s control. These periods can occur any time throughout the season. Worker may be required to work in fields when crops are wet with dew / rain and should have suitable clothing for conditions which include light rain and temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to more than 100 degrees. Workers should be able to stand, bend, stoop and work for prolonged periods of time and be physically fit to perform duties as assigned. Workers will be trained for period of two (2) days (14 hours) after which workers will be expected to perform job required. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising or breaking crops. Care must also be exercised with any use of equipment. Allergens will be encountered; hay, pollen, dust, etc.

Special Requirements

Physically able to bend, stoop, and able to stand on feet for long periods of time. Physically able to meet and perform all job specifications. May be required to take random drug and / or alcohol tests, at no cost to the worker. Testing positive or failure to comply may result in immediate termination from employment. All testing and background check will occur after employment has started and is not a part of the interview process. May be required to submit a criminal background check, at no cost to the worker. Felony convictions that employer reasonably believes, consistent with current law, will impair the safety and living conditions of other workers or other individuals on the farm will result in immediate termination. Failure to comply with request for criminal background check may result in immediate termination of employment.