- Full Time:
- Yes
- Number of Workers Requested:
- 34
- Job Duties:
- Crops/Commodities:
cherries, raspberries, apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, plums.
Harvest – Apples, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines
Quality is essential. Workers must be physically able to pick tree fruit, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being picked from ground. Picked fruit is placed in a metal-framed canvas covered picking bucket with canvas straps that slip over the head and rest on the shoulders. Filled bucket, weighing up to 45 lbs., is emptied into bulk bins. When necessary, workers are required to handle and pick from ladders up to 14 ft. in length and weighing 20 to 40 pounds. Worker places ladder firmly against or within tree in a secure position so as not to break limbs or knock off fruit and to prevent slipping or falling. All fruit must be handled with care to avoid bruising. Each tree will be picked according to instructions given each day by the orchard foreman. Workers must be able to differentiate between colors accurately in order to perform color-specific picking. Must be able to sort out fruit with defects.
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.
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. Field supervision monitors workers to ensure fruit is not bruised in picking. Observation of bruised, damaged or cull fruit by the supervisor, or as indicated on the pick quality report will result in a written disciplinary notice. A written disciplinary notice may occur when a bin is inspected and a significant number of culls, bruised or damaged fruit are found by the supervisor. Workers who fail to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner will be provided up to three warnings, and will be coached/instructed regarding how to work faster and more efficiently. Upon issuance of the third warning the employee may be terminated.
Packing – Apples, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Plums
Work on production line. Grade, size, sort, and pack product. Bunch/bundle product pursuant to supervisor instructions. Fill bins/trays and other containers with product, level bins, and prepare product for shipment to market or storage. Perform quality control on inbound/outbound loads. Follow quality control standards and production procedures. Handle product carefully to prevent damage. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Palletize and stack boxes/containers. Use power equipment including, but not limited, to: fork lifts, conveyor belts, and cooling equipment/refrigeration units. Operate equipment safely, with or without direction. Assist with regular maintenance on equipment. Clean/sanitize work station and equipment.
Harvest (No Packing)– Sweet Cherries and Tart Cherries
Workers must be able to handle ladders which are 14 ft. in length and weigh 40 lbs. while managing a picking basket/bucket that weighs approximately 20 lbs. Pickers are required to pick the fruit by leaving the stems attached with their fingers and by placing the harvested fruit at the bottom of the basket/bucket. Great care must be taken to ensure that the fruit is harvested and placed into the basket/bucket so as to not bruise or damage the fruit.
Picking will be performed by color, or color and size as well as by defects which would render the fruit unmarketable. Such defects include but are not limited to bird pecks, limb rub, splits and sunburn. The harvest supervisor will show all harvesters the correct way to pick cherries to reach the quality objectives of the company.
Thinning
Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and fruit quality of grown fruit. Ability to pick up, use and safely handle a 12 foot orchard ladder weighing approximately 40 lbs.
- Job Classification:
- 45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse