Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
apples.
Apple Harvest:
Quality is essential. Different varieties of apples will be picked according to established company procedures based on the end use (spot picking for fresh; small percentage of culls for processing.) Workers must be able to differentiate between colors accurately in order to perform color-specific picking. Care must be taken when picking so as not to damage or bruise fruit. Workers must be able to pick and dump fruit without stem pulls, punctures, bruising or other damage which diminishes quality. Observation of bruised, damaged or cull fruit by the supervisor, or as indicated on the pick quality report will result in a verbal disciplinary warning. A written disciplinary warning may occur when a bin is inspected and a significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit are found by the supervisor. Upon the third notice a worker's employment may be terminated. Company supervisors will explain and demonstrate if necessary picking requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards. Workers will be expected to pick apples in a timely manner, free of bruises and defects. For food and general safety purposes, all workers will be required to follow common sanitary practices, as specified by the employer, at all times. Work area must be kept clean and safe by keeping dropped fruit away from the bin in order to prevent missteps when emptying the picking bucket.

Harvesting apples may require the use of ladders. The harvesting begins at the bottom of the tree, then the worker moves to the middle of the tree utilizing an aluminum ladder, then completes the harvest of the tree at the top, utilizing a wooden ladder, at the direction of the supervisor. Workers must be able to carry an 18- foot ladder and must be able to harvest at a height of up to 16 feet.

Workers will be assigned to a row of apple trees or share a row of apples trees to harvest. Harvested fruit is placed gently into a picking container until full. This container may weigh up to 60 pounds. The picking bag must be worn around the shoulder, to the side, and not around the waist. There shall be no modification of picking bags (i.e. no lengthening of picking strings, etc.) unless approved by supervisor. Fill the bin completely with crown to meet specifications of supervisor/ quality control. Do not let fruit roll in the bin. The full picking container is gently emptied into a field bin, either plastic or wood, taking care not to bruise the fruit. Workers will stay on the assigned row, unless instructed to do otherwise by the supervisor. Some fruit is selectively harvested from the trees according to the color and maturity standards with two or three pickings of the same tree or trees. It is possible that a one to three-day period may occur in which no fruit is ready to be harvested. Some fruit is harvested from the tree entirely in one picking and workers will be required to remove all fruit from the tree. Clippers are used for some varieties for harvesting for removal of stems by clipping. Wooden and aluminum ladders from 4 feet to 18 feet in height will be used.

Worker will hand harvest apples. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit while standing on ground and higher branches while standing on a lladder. Worker will pick according to grade, color size, and degree of maturity 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. While harvesting the Honeycrisp variety, small hand clippers will be used to carefully cut the stem of the apple from the tree. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 40 lbs. and will place fruit into wooden or plastic bins which hold approximately 18-20 bushels of fruit.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required. Criminal background check required.