Farm Laborer

Job description

Workers will shear trees. Workers will plant, cultivate, harvest, and bundle trees for transport. Workers will load bundled trees on trucks. Workers will spread fertilizer. Workers will perform hand planting, using both shovels and machines, as required. Workers may perform farm clean-up activities, mending/repairing fences as needed.

Work is to be done for long periods of time in the field, when plants may be wet with dew and rain, and may be required during rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers ability to perform the job. Workers must be able to perform the required work with or without reasonable accommodations.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing appropriate work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Casual clothing not permitted. Workers wearing inappropriate clothing will not be permitted to start work.

Workers will have an unpaid lunch break when working more than 5 hours. Must report to work at the designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedules may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start/end times. Employer may request, but not require that workers work more than the stated daily hours, on the worker’s Sabbath, or on federal holidays.

Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company worksites or vehicles is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Out of concern for the safety of other workers, staff or the public at large, the employer reserves the right to terminate for cause, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, any worker found during the period of employment to have a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender.

The work described herein is regular, seasonal full-time work requiring all workers to be available as stated on the standard work schedule, throughout the entire contract period. Employees may experience a temporary reduction in work and/or a temporary work stoppage due to the natural agricultural cycle.

All workers are subject to a five-day trial period, during which their performance will be evaluated. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the end of the trial period if their performance fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations or is otherwise unacceptable.

Employer also retains the right to terminate workers for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to workers who: are regularly absent or tardy; malingers or otherwise refuses to work in accordance with direction, or is otherwise obviously unqualified to perform the job; is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary.
Non-U.S. workers may be terminated if one or more U.S. workers becomes available for the job during the employer's recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences.

Foreign workers will be advised of their responsibility to depart the U.S. when employment comes to an end. Employer will request and maintain records of each worker’s permanent home address, e-mail address (when available) and phone number.

The employer attests that workers and handlers will receive annual pesticide safety training in accordance with the Worker Protections Standard (WPS) mandated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Special Requirements

Work may take place in extreme temperatures from below freezing to above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and in wet weather. Must be able to lift and carry 75+lbs trees continuously throughout the day. Must be able to use a pruning hook and hedge trimmer. Must be able to cut trees using chainsaws and handsaws.