SeasonalJobs.dol.gov

Job Description

Full Time:

Yes

Number of Workers Requested:

15

Job Duties:

Crops/Commodities: apples, peaches. Harvest: Pick apples and peaches by hand for fresh market and processing. Spot and/or strip pick fruit based on seasonal need. Ensure removal of all fruit meeting picking requirements from trees. Gently snap fruit off tree with pads of fingers and palm of hand to avoid stem pulls, punctures, bruising, or other damage. When directed, cut stems with handheld stem clippers after removal of fruit from tree. Carefully place fruit in picking container worn over shoulders with straps. Empty filled picking container weighing up to 40 lbs into bulk field bin, avoiding bruising of fruit. Avoid/discard severely damaged or decaying fruit. Keep bins free of limbs, leaves, decayed fruit and any other foreign matter. Use/handle ladders up to 20 ft. in length and weighing up to 60 lbs. Follow supervisors' instructions on color/size or other requirements of harvested fruit. Must be able to differentiate between colors and fruit varieties accurately. Harvesting specifics can change daily depending on different orchards, varieties, crop or market conditions. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each fruit variety in any given orchard. Supervisors will explain and demonstrate picking requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards. Minimum harvest production standards are as follows: 16 bushels per hour for clean-picked fresh apples, 16.5 bushels per hour for clean-picked processing apples, 11.5 bushels per hour for spot-picked apples. Minimum harvest production standards may be adjusted downward to accommodate extenuating market and/or harvest conditions and such adjustment shall be communicated to workers. Bruised or damaged fruit will be noted by supervisor(s) in a post-inspection quality report, and shall not be excessive. Bruising and damage tolerances will vary based on crop and market conditions and shall be communicated to workers by supervisors. Worker's picked fruit will be inspected randomly each day. Supervisors may issue written disciplinary notice to workers with a significant number of culls, bruised, or damaged fruit. Repeated failure to follow quality control instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Piece rate pay may be enacted based on variety and crop/market conditions. Piece rates starting at $0.95 per bushel and may go up based on variety and conditions. Workers must comply with picking instructions and communicated quality standards. Workers failing to produce a sufficient number of piece rate units to earn the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for all hours worked during a pay period will be paid on an hourly basis at the AEWR for that pay period. Workers paid on an hourly basis who fail to perform their duties in a proficient manner and/or fail to meet minimum harvest production standards will be provided up to three warnings, and will be coached/instructed on working faster and more efficiently. Worker may be terminated upon issuance of third warning. Pruning: Hand pruning based on fruit variety. Use manual and mechanized pruning tools and equipment. Identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward-growing branches, branches rubbing against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoot-suckers. Follow supervisors' instructions on pruning method. Thinning: Hand thin to control the size and quality of fruit. Remove excess and defective fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Must accurately identify and remove misshapen, damaged or otherwise unmarketable fruit. General labor: Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling and other manual tasks. Clear debris and stones from orchards, and clean/maintain farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas. Remove suckers from tree bases. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Hang mating disruption tabs in trees.

Job Classification:

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

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

Yes

Months of Experience Required:

3

Special Requirements:

This job requires a minimum of three months of prior experience working in a diversified orchard pruning fruit-bearing trees, handling manual tasks associated with commodity production and harvesting of fruit-bearing trees. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform all activities with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs.

Number of Hours Per Week:

40

Work Schedule (Start/End time):

7:00 A.M. - 2:45 P.M.

Employer Information

Company Name:

R & L Orchard Co.

Location:

Gardners, PA 17324

Worksite

Address:

Mt. Brook Farm/Main Office - 495 Clines Church Rd., Gardners, PA 17324

Job Order Details

ETA Case Number:

H-300-24340-520433

Multiple Worksites:

No

Additional Wage Information:

Apples, $0.95 per bushel and above, depending upon variety, market and crop conditions. $17.20 AEWR hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $17.20 - $20.00 based on worker picking 16 bushels per hour.

Date Posted:

12/10/2024

Piece Rate Offer

$0.95

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