Farmworker/laborer

Job description

GENERAL FARM WORK RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO HOPS PRODUCTION:
1.General hop production: Worker will maintain and repair trellises. Worker will use hand shovels to replace 18 foot hop poles and install new poles on new ground. The poles will be 2-3 feet deep in the ground. Worker will fix, replace or install wire using hand tools such as tension pliers, wire cutters, and a crimp tool. Worker will use tension pliers and install wire on the hop poles with staples. Worker will use post hole digger and shovel to clean out, dig or tamp post holes. Worker will install poles, ensure poles are vertically straight and tamped into place. Worker may be required to operate equipment to install wire and poles or put markers out in field to mark where plants will be planted. Supervisor will instruct planting marker placement. Worker will brush chop alleys as needed and clear debris.

2.Hop Planting: Worker will plant hop roots by digging a 6 to 8 inch hole, placing marker, placing hop roots into soil, replacing soil to cover roots, and then firming ground with shovel. Worker will dig or cut hop roots and occasionally use compressor to blow dirt away from hop hill. Worker will use cutting tool to cut hop root into segments taking care to keep varieties separated. Worker will use a cutting tool to divide roots and then bundle the hop roots with rubber band or string and place in a bin. Worker will plant potted plants in field as directed by Supervisor. Worker will attach cable, clamps and string between trellis and ground. During this task, worker will load stringing cart or farm implement cart. Worker will work approximately 18 ft. above the ground and hand tie string to cables and trellis. Worker will identify appropriate string placement and place metal clips into the ground with clip probe taking care to repair broken or loose string. Worker will train vines around string, pick up vines that have fallen off trellis or broken strings and place back onto to trellis. Worker will remove vines or broken strings, weeds and debris from growing hop plants. Worker will remove torn out poles and trellis. Worker will install, maintain, and remove irrigation as needed throughout the season. Worker will brush chop alleys when needed and clear debris.

3.Hop harvest: Worker will operate tractors with top/bottom cutter attachment to harvest hops. Worker will cut the hops down while the supervisor oversees loading of trucks with harvested hops which are solely employer’s product. Worker will drive trucks in the field and drive trucks to and from hop facilities. Worker will walk the fields and pick up vines left behind.

4.Transporting of hops: Driver will oversee harvested crops being loaded into truck and ensure vehicle is secured for transport. Before departing, the driver will communicate with the Supervisor to establish a delivery time and location. Upon arrival at delivery location, the driver will proceed to the unloading area and ensure all paperwork for the product is received before departing.
Pay will be hourly

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in general farm labor; hand harvesting grapes; planting, maintenance and harvest of hops; vineyard maintenance.

Experience Requirement: 3 months verifiable experience in commercial fruit hand harvest and or vine harvest. Applicants must furnish job references from employers of the last 5 years establishing acceptable prior experience.

Drug testing done at employer's expense and not utilized as pre-employment tool.