Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
cherries, grapes.
Workers will prune fruit trees, thin and harvest cherries and grapes. Workers must be physically able to pick tree fruit, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being picked from ground. Filled bucket, weighing up to 35 lbs., is emptied into bulk bins. When necessary, workers are required to handle and pick from ladders up to 7 ft. in length and weighing 15 to 25 pounds. Worker places ladder firmly against or within tree in a secure position so as not to break limbs or knock off fruit and to prevent slipping or falling. All fruit must be handled with care to avoid bruising. Each tree will be picked according to instructions given each day by the orchard foreman. Primary duty will be to harvest fruit; however other duties will be offered including hand thinning fruit, picking roots, rocks and other debris, mulching, pruning, cutting shoots and suckers, raking cuttings and debris, pulling or cutting thorny plants, weeds and vines from around trees, cleaning and clearing fence rows and farm buildings. May load and unload trucks, install irrigation equipment and clean equipment. Employer expects workers to work with or without supervision at such tasks.

Must be able to safely maneuver ladders up to 24 feet in length on steep and uneven terrain. Field supervision monitors workers to ensure fruit is not bruised in picking. Workers must be willing to pick up ‘dropped fruit' from the ground as needed and directed. Must be able to sort out fruit with defects.

Performs a variety of tasks under supervision in vineyard operation. Primary tasks are grape production and agricultural activities, including planting and cultivating vines and harvesting grapes. Performs vineyard canopy management to permit light and air to circulate around grapevines, including thinning fruit and removing shoots and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities, such as weed control with mowers and chemicals. Installs and maintains vine trellises and ties vines to trellises. Assists in moving harvested fruit from field to processing area.

Work is to be done for long periods of time. Workers are expected to perform duties including boxing, weighing and loading of product. Workers will assist in loading trucks with product weighing up to and including 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet for long periods of time. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 32 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Employer assures that workers will be provided transportation from living quarters to work site every day (for workers who must be provided housing under the applicable regulations.)

Persons seeking employment as experienced farmworker must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Successful applicants will be subject to a trial period of up to five days during which their performance of required tasks will be evaluated. If the performance during the trial period is not acceptable to the employer the worker‘s employment will be terminated.

Raises and/or bonuses may be offered to any seasonal worker employed pursuant to this job order, at the company's sole discretion, based on individual factors including work performance, skill, and tenure.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of prior experience working in an orchard or vineyard handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.