Orchard Worker - Harvester

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
apples.
This job requires a minimum of two months of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Workers must be able to perform all work activities with accuracy and efficiency. Primary tasks will be harvesting apples.

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. Must be able to carry and pick from 12-18 foot ladder and be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Must be able to move and position 12-18 foot ladder quickly.

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.

Pick fruit as directed by supervisor. Picking may be by clipping, color pick or size. Worker must be able to see green and red and differentiate between green, cream and yellow background color on apples to determinate maturity level and percent of red color for market requirements. Worker must be able to differentiate between apple varieties so as not to mix apple varieties in the same bin or pick a variety that is not yet mature. Workers should not pick up fruit that has fallen on the ground or knock the fruit out with the ladder or a prop. Use both hands to pick and fill the bucket to keep it level. Clippers are used for some varieties for harvesting for removal of stems by clipping.

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, sunburn, insect damage, disease damage, cracks, bird pecks 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.

Worker must be able to unload the picking bag into the bin without causing bruising (slowly with a flowing motion, without leaving the bag against the side of the bin). Fill the bin from all sides. Do not let the fruit roll in the bin. The supervisor will inform workers how full to fill the bin. Worker must be able to hold the picking bag so as not to cause bruising when climbing down a ladder.

General

Instructions and overall supervision and direction of workers will be provided by a company supervisor. Workers hired pursuant to this labor certification must be able to comprehend and follow instructions of a company supervisor and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers will be expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision.

Work assignments will be made at the sole discretion of the employer conditional on unforeseen circumstances such as weather or other unscheduled/unexpected interruptions in regular work. Workers must perform the assigned work and may not perform duties not provided in this application, or work in areas not assigned without the specific authorization of the foreman or crew boss. Workers will be expected to perform any of the listed duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

Workers will be required to attend an orientation on workplace rules, policies and safety information prior to beginning work on or after the date of need listed in Item 9.

Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of two months of prior experience working in tree fruit orchards handling manual tasks associated with fruit production, hand-harvesting activities. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs.