Farmworker/ Laborer

Job description

This job requires tree fruit experience by the worker. Crops: Apples

APPLE Harvest: Worker will hand harvest apples. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and picks low hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while
standing on a ladder. 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. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 60 lbs. and will place fruit into bins, which hold approximately 22 bushels of fruit. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be required to examine harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications. Workers must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. When using the ladder, worker will exercise caution to ensure ladders is safely set and ready to be used. Worker will check ladders daily for damage and repair upon arrival to designated row. Worker will be assigned designated row by manager on duty. Worker will check picking bag daily for damage and repair. Worker will wash picking bag at end of every day.

THINNING: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. The Worker must possess the ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. Furthermore, the Worker must be able to use scissor like clippers. This process requires the Worker to remove, in some cases not limited to the smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. The Worker will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged and/or with other quality problems as directed by supervisors. Thinning may be performed from a motorized platform and/or from the ground or a ladder.
See Addendum C

Special Requirements

2) Worker must possess 3 months of tree fruit experience. 4e) Must be able to lift and/or load 60lbs.
4g) Work may take place when temperatures are below freezing and above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
4h) May require extensive pulling and/or pushing of tools, wheelbarrows, fruit containers, etc.
4i) May require worker to sit and/or walk for extensive periods of time while sorting, picking, examining, weeding, transporting, pruning, etc. 4j) Workers will be required to stoop and/or bend over while performing farm labor such as weeding, irrigating, pruning, picking, removing debris, etc.
4k) There will be repetitive movements while performing most of the farm labor duties, for example picking, sorting, pruning, shoveling, weeding, etc.