Farmworkers/laborers

Job description

While performing all of the following duties, Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions provided each day by the supervisory staff, according to established company procedures accounting for difference in the treatment of different varieties and instructions based on market, fruit condition and operational demands. Time spent in this activity will depend on ranch location and season.

Provide assistance in the establishment and maintenance of orchard properties by operating machinery for clearing property, mowing, planting trees, harvesting nursery trees, building trellis, setting up, installing shade cloth, netting, or ground fabric, operating and maintaining irrigation systems and any other labor considered necessary for the efficient and safe operation of orchard properties.

Pruning apple, pear and cherry trees using handheld pruning shears or larger pruning loppers. Remove specific branches and sections of tree based on supervisory instruction by clipping off with shears, or loppers. Arrange all pruned tree branches in the center of the drive row for removal. Pruning of trees may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent breaking of branches and limbs.

Training apple and cherry trees to a trellis – take young tree limbs and attach them to wire using special tape, wood spacers or other provided fastener at specific intervals based on supervisory instruction. Training of trees may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent breaking of branches and limbs.

Thinning apple, cherry, and pear trees – remove small, undersized and/or damaged fruit from tree according to supervisor instructions, using care not to harm tree buds in the process. Thinning of trees may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform. Workers must exercise care at all times to prevent breaking of branches and limbs.

Picking numerous varieties of cherries – remove cherry from tree, place cherry into bucket, empty completed bucket into bin.

Picking numerous varieties of apples – remove apple from tree, depending on variety, use of clippers is required to remove stem. Place apple into 50lb picking bag, empty completed bag into bin.

Picking numerous varieties of pears – remove pear from tree place pear into picking bag, empty completed bag with care into bin.

Worker will pick according to grade, color and size and remove fruit in a manner so as to not harm the adjacent front spurs on the tree branches or physically damage fruit that is being harvested. Picking may be done from the ground or ladder, or from a motorized platform.

Provide general labor to assist in the establishment and maintenance of orchard properties by clearing property, planting trees, building trellis, setting up, operating and maintaining irrigation systems and any other labor considered necessary for the efficient and safe operation of orchard properties.

See Addendum C

Special Requirements

Workers must have three-months experience in manual and machine tasks including heavy lifting, associated with commodity production.

Use of ladders up to 12 feet in height is required for specialized pruning and irrigation. Workers must possess proficiency in handling ladders, climbing and working on ladders safely. Workers will be expected to use all equipment in a safe and prudent manner to avoid injury. Workers must not lean ladders into trees, lean off to one side of the ladder, or stand on the last two steps of the ladder. Workers must not climb tree and should use a ladder. If a Worker is unsure of how to use a ladder safely, he or she must notify a crew leader or supervisor.

Workers must have the ability to perform the task of specialized pruning fruit trees. As described in Item A8a-A11 Job specifications.

Maintain all required certifications, classes and licenses including but not limited to P.A.L., Handler certificate and first aid card.