SeasonalJobs.dol.gov

Job Description

Full Time:

Yes

Number of Workers Requested:

46

Job Duties:

Workers will prune trees to remove branches from apple, peach, and nectarine trees. Pruning occurs when trees are dormant before fruit appears, typically from February through April. Workers must be physically able to prune trees, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being pruned from ground. When necessary, workers are required to handle and prune using hand tools while balanced on ladders up to 14 ft. in length and weighing 25 to 40 pounds. Worker must be able to place ladder firmly against or within tree in a secure position so as not to break limbs, maintain balance while working at heights and to prevent slipping or falling. Worker must be knowledgeable about basic pruning concepts, including limb selection, different pruning cuts and when each is appropriate to use, ideal branch angles for training trees, in order to improve sunlight distribution and influence crop yield and avoiding severe pruning. Worker uses handsaws, pruning hooks, shears, and clippers to prune and manage growth of trees and remove dead branches, fosters healing and impedes decay by applying healing compound to pruning wounds Workers will properly thin apple, peach, and nectarine trees. Fruit trees are thinned between May and July depending on the crop/variety. Workers must be physically able to thin trees, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being thinned from ground. When necessary, workers are required to handle fruit and thin from ladders up to 14 ft. in length and weighing 25 to 40 pounds. Worker places ladder firmly against or within tree in a secure position so as not to break limbs and to prevent slipping or falling. Worker understands the basic principles of thinning and the damaging effects of improper techniques, removes injured, damaged, or small fruit to maximize quality yield. Worker must be proficient in judging the optimal number of fruit that can be carried based on the size of the limb, preventing over-thinning, and breaking up clusters of fruit. Work also may involves inserting/removing tree spreaders, removing invasive vegetation around trees, and placement of rodent baits. Workers will properly harvest apple, peach, and nectarine trees. Peach and nectarine trees are harvested between the end of June through the beginning of September, while apples are harvested during the August through November. Workers must be physically able to harvest trees, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being harvested from ground. Workers handle fruit from ladders up to 14 ft. in length and weighing 25 to 40 pounds. Worker places ladder firmly against or within tree in a secure position so as not to break limbs and to prevent slipping or falling. Workers pick apples, peaches, and nectarines from trees for fresh market sale. Picking requires a basic understanding of fruit maturity indicators, such as background color, flesh color, firmness, seed color, and presence of watercore. Peach and nectarine trees are spot picked. Peach and nectarine fruit are also field-graded. Employees will spot deficiencies in firmness, bruising, split-pit, etc. and appropriately separate graded fruit. Apple picking requires the ability to differentiate between several apple varieties that are spot picked, including Lodi, Summer Rambo, Gingergolds, Honeycrisp, Gala, September Wonder Fuji, and Pink Lady Barnsby. Later varieties are often strip picked, including Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ambrosia, Cameo, Fuji, Rome, York, Mutsu, Jonagolds, Crimson Crisp, Evercrisp, Granny Smith, Gold Rush, Enterprise, and Pink Lady. Fruit is placed in metal-framed canvas covered picking bucket with canvas straps that slip over the head and rest on the shoulders. Workers empty the filled bucket, weighing up to 40 lbs into bulk bins.

Job Classification:

45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

Yes

Months of Experience Required:

3

Special Requirements:

Must have 3 months verifiable experience pruning, thinning and hand harvesting tree fruit. Training will not be provided. Workers will be expected to perform manual jobs with accuracy and efficiency through harvest.

Number of Hours Per Week:

35

Work Schedule (Start/End time):

6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Employer Information

Trade Name/Doing Business As:

Bear Mountain Orchards, Inc.

Company Name:

Bear Mountain Orchards, Inc.

Location:

Aspers, PA 17304

Telephone Number:

+17176778109

Worksite

Address:

Main Farm and Office 1415 Potato Road, Aspers, PA 17304

Job Order Details

ETA Case Number:

H-300-21335-736922

Multiple Worksites:

No

Additional Wage Information:

bushel

Date Posted:

12/13/2021

Share