Orchard Support

Job description

This job requires tree fruit agricultural experience by the worker.
Crops: Pears.
These crops listed may or may not be planted and employer is not limited to only these crops listed

Pruning- Responsible for cutting down, pruning, or trimming branches, leaves, and roots from trees to prevent damage and destruction or for aesthetic purposes.
Cut away dead, obstructive, or excess branches from trees
Climb ladders to properly access trees and cut down limbs
Prune or treat trees using handsaws, pruning hooks, sheers, and clippers
Use power tools to gain access to high areas
Remove debris and cart away large limbs for disposal
Cur branches away from power lines
Clear sites, streets, and grounds for woody and herbaceous materials. Such as tree stumps and
fallen trees and limbs
Strip bark from trees

Tree Training- The worker will train the tree to form the structure of the tree. This can be done either from the ground or ladder. Tree training could be hoeing, tree painting, tying, and positioning tree limbs together and to trellis, cutting, fixing, or installing wire on trellis.

The Employer attests that all workers will be properly trained in the Worker Protections Standard (WPS) by qualified WPS trainers who have completed an EPA-approved Train-the-Trainer course pursuant to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Orchard Support:
The worker will apply fertilizer and pesticides to planted crops to stimulate growth and control diseases and pests. The worker must possess the ability to drive a tractor with the correct equipment attached or on its own. Individuals in the position of Orchard Labor Support perform a variety of tasks that contribute to healthy and productive fruit trees. They work under the direct supervision of an assistant or supervisor. Essential functions of this job include irrigation maintenance and installation, operating a tractor to either spray pesticides or move bins throughout the orchard with fruit in them or without fruit. This job requires worker to spray herbicides and pesticides on to weeds or trees using specialized application equipment

Pear Harvest:
The worker will hand harvest pears from the ground or a ladder. The worker will attach a harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. The worker will pick according to grade, color, and size by grasping fruit with the hands and removing from the tree in a motion so as not to harm adjacent buds on the tree branches. The worker will carry a harness that may weigh up to 60 lbs. and will place fruit into wooden or plastic bins, 4'x4'x3' which hold approximately 25 bushels of fruit. Care must be always exercised to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. The worker may be required to examine harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color, and size specifications. The worker must possess the ability to pick-up; handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing up to 40 pounds

Special Requirements

See addendum C