Farm Worker

Job description

This job requires a minimum of three months of experience harvesting or packing tree fruit, 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.

Workers will cultivate and prune fruit trees, thin, harvest, and field pack cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and apples. Workers must be physically able to pick tree fruit, mostly done from ladders, with lower branches picked from the ground. Workers must be capable of climbing and descending an 8 ft. picking ladder a minimum of 450 times per day with a bucket attached. Picked fruit is placed in a metal-framed canvas-covered picking bucket with canvas straps that slip over the head and rest on the shoulders. The filled bucket, weighing up to 35 lbs., is emptied into bulk bins. When necessary, workers must handle and pick from ladders up to 12 ft. in length and weighing 20 to 40 pounds. Worker places ladder firmly against or within the tree in a secure position not to break limbs or knock off fruit and 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. The 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, inserting/removing tree spreaders, pulling or cutting thorny plants, weeds and vines from around trees (some weeds may be noxious), operation of tractors and other equipment, 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 as such tasks. Workers must follow all food safety standards.

Must be able to safely maneuver ladders up to 12 feet on steep and uneven terrain. Must be experienced in distinguishing between apple varieties and be able to spot pick trees for acceptable color. Field supervision monitors workers to ensure the fruit is not bruised in picking. Must be able to sort out the fruit with defects.

A company supervisor will provide instructions and overall supervision and direction of workers. Workers hired under this labor certification must comprehend and follow a company supervisor's instructions and communicate effectively so supervisors. Unusual, complex, or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers are expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must be able to keep pace with the balance of the crew.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of prior experience harvesting or packing tree fruit, handling both manual and machine task associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.
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Este trabajo requiere un mnimo de tres meses de experiencia previa en la recoleccin o empaque de frutas de rboles, manejando tareas manuales y mecnicas asociadas con la produccin de productos bsicos y las actividades de cosecha. Se requiere trabajo los sbados. Debe poder levantar/transportar 60 libras.