Farm Labor

Job description

New orchard development:
Planting: Propagate plants by placing buds/scions. Plant seedlings or 'liners' by hand or with a mechanical planter. Clear cull stock, brush and debris. Dig holes and shovel dirt and install irrigation system.
TRAINING: Training is a process in which the fruit tree is manipulated to increase yield and/or quality. The Worker must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Training may be performed from a motorized
platform and/or from the ground or ladder. Some example training tasks are but not limited to:
• Tying, taping or clipping apple or cherry limbs to wires.
• Tying up or down apple or cherry limbs.
• Training and limb positioning of apple and cherry trees.
• Shoot thinning, sucker removal, cluster thinning, shoot positioning, hedging, or leaf removal.
• Propping and supporting apple and cherry trees.
PRUNING: Pruning numerous varieties of apple, cherry trees according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Work will be performed on trees for long periods of time using a variety
of pruning equipment including but not limited to hand shears, hand loppers, hand saws. Furthermore, the worker must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Pruning may be done from the ground or a
ladder up to 12 feet in height or from a motorized platform. The Worker may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size and color as instructed by the crew supervisor.

SCHEDULING CHANGES. Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods may occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

NONDISCRIMINATION. All terms and conditions included in the job order will apply equally to all seasonal workers (U.S. and foreign H-2A), employed in the occupation described in this job order.

Workers will be required to attend an orientation on workplace rules, policies and safety information prior to beginning work on or after the date of need. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

The following disciplinary policy will apply to all housing, job activities and Work Rule violations, except in extreme circumstances in which an employee maliciously destroys equipment or other property, fights with other employees or is found to be carrying deadly weapons, in which cases, the employee may be terminated immediately.

Workers must wear all required and assigned personal protective equipment when required. Employees must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Written write-up will be in force for any foot wear violations. Shorts, bathing suits or other casual clothing is not permitted. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work, including footwear will not be permitted to start work and be asked to go home and change without pay.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due
to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of prior experience working on a fruit and/or vegetable crop farm handling manual tasks
associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement
establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary
tasks will be planting, training and trellising trees, pruning. Work week is Monday through Saturday. Sunday work may be offered but not required. Must be able to lift/carry 40 lbs.
Employer paid post-hire drug testing may be required upon reasonable suspicion of use or after employee-caused accident where
injury to self, others or damage to equipment occurred.