Orchard Worker, X1050, Wapato, Sunnyside, Zillah, Wapato, Mattawa, Outlook, Grandview, Othello, Burbank, Prosser, Pasco, Royal City, Tieton, Yakima This is a job order for field work and labor for growing and maintaining apples and cherries. This job opportunity is limited to qualified, available workers that are currently eligible to work in the United States, per federal regulation. Crops/Commodities: Apples, cherries. JOB DUTIES: Orchard clean-up or clearing, planting trees, building and/or repairing tree trellises, removal of strings and wire from trellises and other hand tasks, including placement of pheromone lures in the orchard. Care of young non-producing fruit trees, including weeding, hoeing, tree trunk painting, and growth modification by hand or clipping. Training of apple and cherry trees to trellises including clipping and tying limbs and/or shoots to the wire. Must be able to train trees to trellis without constant management supervision. Propping and tying of apple, cherry trees and limbs. Training and limb positioning of apple peach, nectarine, apricot and cherry trees. Installation and repair of bird netting and shade cloth. Use power equipment including but not limited to: 4-wheelers, ATVs, tractors, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, fork lifts, skid loaders. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Mix and apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Thinning Hand thinning of apple, peach, nectarine, apricot and cherry trees to ensure proper fruit load on the tree. Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and fruit quality of grown fruit. Workers will be given appropriate training by supervisors. The ability to pick up, use and safely handle up to a 10 foot orchard ladder weighing approximately 40 lbs. is necessary for performance of thinning tasks. This process requires the worker to be able to appropriately remove the smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Workers will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is abnormal, damaged and/or have other quality problems as directed by supervisors. Pruning Pruning numerous varieties of apple, cherry trees according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Work will be performed on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment including hand shears, hand loppers, and hand saws. Pruning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 10 feet in height or from a motorized platform. Workers pruning apple trees may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size as instructed by the crew boss. Careful pruning requires knowledge of what to prune, how much to prune and fruit trees' growth habits. The primary reason for pruning fruit trees is to improve fruit quality and thus increase crop marketability and value. Harvest - Apples: Maximization of fruit quality is of paramount importance. 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. Workers will use a picking bag or basket and ladders up to 10 ft. in length and will carefully place picked fruit in bins. Hand harvesters may be instructed to pick culls and peelers (as directed and identified by supervisor) and drop on ground or place in bin. Hand harvesters may be required to selectively pick only fruit of a certain color and/or size as instructed by the supervisors. Hand harvesters may also be required to stem clip the fruit. This procedure reduces the amount of punctures to the fruit once placed in the bin. Workers must be able to load/unload empty bins by hand and place/move them in the orchard. 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. 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. After three written notices, the worker will receive disciplinary action up to and including termination. 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. 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. Workers will be expected to follow supervisors' instructions relative to picking techniques and filling bins with picked fruit. Cherries Workers must be able to handle ladders which are 10 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 with their fingers leaving the stems attached to the fruit and place the picked fruit gently in the bottom of the picking 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 harvest workers the correct way to pick cherries to achieve the company's quality objectives. Light Duty: Workers injured on the job and unable to perform the full range of duties may be offered light duty, if available. Light duty tasks may vary depending on availability of task, nature of worker's injury, and instructions from worker's physician. Light duty tasks may include any combination of the following: Hygiene Monitor: Monitors staff as they enter and exit the restroom to ensure staff uses hand sanitizer and wash hands. A chair is provided, if needed, for the employee, but employee is not required to use it unless specified. Worker may sit, stand or alternate between sitting and standing, as needed, at worker's discretion. Safety Monitor: Monitors orchard workers to ensure safety rules and regulations are being followed. Warns workers of perceived dangerous situations, such as improper placement of a ladder. Notifies Foreman of identified safety concerns. Worker alternately stands and walks while performing essential functions, but a chair can be provided for worker to take breaks, as needed. Orchard Cleanup: Walks through orchards and properties with a garbage bag and Reacher (trash grabber) if needed, picking up garbage. Will also be assigned to collect loose pallet nails from the ground with a push magnetic nail sweeper. Farm Work Assistant: Engages in light farm work tasks, such as baby tree training, which includes tying tree branches down and installing bamboo supports into the ground to support tree limbs; removing, invasive plants, inspecting fruit trees for signs of poor health, lack of water or damaged limbs; reports any abnormal findings to the supervisor. Fruit checking. Check fruit in bins to ensure proper levels. Ensure optimal level for stacking. Check tickets for placement. Sort/remove unmarketable or damaged fruit from bin by cupping the fruit in hand and discarding. Tree counting. Walk through orchard and count number of trees in row. Requires walking/standing. Equipment washing. Wash equipment with hose and other cleaning tools. Unless otherwise noted, light duty tasks may be performed sitting or standing as needed, may be performed with use of one hand, and do not require use of dominant hand. If lifting is involved, weight will not exceed lifting amount approved by worker's physician. Other requirements Workers may load and unload agricultural equipment (including but not limited to ladders, picking bags, pruning equipment and portable toilets) onto trailers hooked by tow hitches to vans, and haul said equipment to the orchard locations identified in the Job Order on private or public roads. Workers do not deliver to customers. Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses may, but are not required to, transport other workers to-and-from the employer provided housing directly to worksites each day and around the farm during the workday, and possibly transport farm equipment. This may involve the worker(s) operating the vehicles across public roads in order to reach the other farm properties to perform their work. Workers who are permitted to drive may drive multi-purpose vehicles that have a capacity of less than 13 tons, require a standard driver's license to operate, and may, but are not required to, be used on or off farm by the workers (e.g., drive to the grocery store, bank, etc. at their discretion). Workers are not required or expected to arrange for the routine pick-up of another worker or groups of workers on a regular schedule at other housing locations or centralized pick-up points. 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. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Work is to be done for long periods of time. While performing duties of this job, workers are regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions including dust. Temperatures may range from 30 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings. This job requires regular standing and walking. Workers are frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The worker is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl under trellis wires. Workers must be able to lift/carry up to 60 lbs. throughout the course of the day. Ladders up to 10 feet in length are an essential tool in picking fruit. Workers must wear all required and assigned personal protective equipment when required. Workers must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Shorts, bathing suits or other casual clothing is not permitted. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work. Employer has strict policy banning use, possession, transfer, offer, sale or manufacture of controlled substances, including marijuana. All work sites covered by this clearance order and all facilities of the employer are drug free work places. Workers may not report for work, enter the employers' property or perform service while under the influence of or having used illegal controlled substances. Workers may not report for work or perform service while under the influence of or impaired by prescription drugs, medications, alcohol, marijuana or other substances that may in any way adversely affect their alertness, coordination, reaction or safety. Employer-paid posthire drug/alcohol testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work. Refusal to take a required drug/alcohol test will result in termination of employment. Workers who do not 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 instead be paid on an hourly basis at the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the pay period. Workers paid on an hourly basis who fail to perform their duties in a 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 worker may be terminated. Company has a strict policy prohibiting non-workers access to work sites or adjacent areas. No non-working minors may be present or adjacent to worksites or left in vehicles during the day. JOB REQUIREMENTS - Must have at least three (3) months of prior experience working in outdoor harvesting of fruits or vegetables, handling manual tasks associated with fruit production and harvest activities.
- Must be able to work through extreme temperatures.
- Must be able to push/pull and stoop/bend repeatedly.
- Saturday work required.
- Ability to lift/carry 60 lbs.
HOURS/DAYS/SCHEDULE Contract period is April 15, 2024 to October 11, 2024 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday 5 hours Saturdays SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS Wage offer $19.25/hour No work will be performed at less than the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) of $19.25 AEWR The payroll period is weekly. Piece Rates Apple Harvest: Red Delicious - All Cultivations, $28.26 Per Bin (47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $21.20 based upon worker filling 6 bins per 8-hour workday. Apple Harvest: Granny Smith – All Cultivations $28.26 Per Bin (47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $17.66 based upon worker filling 5 bins per 8 -hour workday. Apple Harvest: Gala – All Cultivations $28.26 Per Bin (47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $17.66 based upon worker filling 5 bins per 8 - hour workday. Apple Harvest: Fuji – All Cultivations $28.26 Per Bin (47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $17.66 based upon worker filling 4 bins per 8 - hour workday. Apple Harvest: Honey Crisp – All Cultivations $31.76 Per Bin(47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $11.91 based upon worker filling worker filling 3 bins per 8 - hour workday. Apple Harvest: Cosmic Crisp $28.26 Per Bin - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $17.66 based upon worker filling5 bins per 8 - hour workday. Apple Harvest: Pink Lady - All Cultivations $30.00 Per Bin (47” x 47” x 24.5”) - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $15.00 based upon worker filling 4 bins per 8 - hour workday. Cherry Harvest: Red Cherry - All Cultivations $6.30 per 30 lb. lug - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $27.56 based upon worker filling 35 lugs per 8 - hour workday. Cherry Harvest: Yellow Cherry – All Cultivations $4.20 per 20 lb. lug- $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $15.75 based upon worker filling 30 lugs per 8 - hour workday. Non-Harvest Activities: Tree Training (all varieties) $0.03 - $1.50 per tree - Varies due to the size of the tree being trained and the amount of branches that need to be trained. - $19.25 hourly guarantee. Non-Harvest Activities: Hand Thinning (all varieties) $0.10 - $4.50 per tree - Ranges from thinning young trees with minimal fruit to older more established trees with maximum yield potential.- $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $13.50 -0$15.83 based upon worker productivity and tree conditions, such as size and age. Non-Harvest Activities: Pruning (all varieties) $0.10 - $1.00 per tree - Requires the worker to prune branches that are shading fruit, often times only requiring one or two cuts per tree. However, in most cases, multiple cuts are required.- $19.25 hourly guarantee. Estimated hourly wage of $15.83 based upon worker productivity and tree conditions, such as number of limbs shading fruit. HOUSING Employer agrees to provide or secure housing for the H-2A workers and those workers in corresponding employment who are not reasonably able to return to their residence at the end of the work day. TRANSPORTATION Employer provides incidental transportation between worksites at no cost to workers. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free daily transportation to and from the worksite, and weekly transportation to closest town/city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Exact transportation schedule varies depending on work location, work/weather conditions, and other factors, but shall occur within a reasonable time before/after workday begins/ends. MEALS Employer does not provide meals. Employer-provided housing includes free and convenient kitchen facilities with appropriate equipment, appliances, cooking accessories, and dishwashing facilities for meal preparation. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free transportation once per week to/from closest town or city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Dining, kitchen/cooking facilities and other common areas are shared by all workers. In the event that kitchen facilities become unavailable during the contract period, employer will provide three daily meals in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(g). In such circumstances, employer will deduct the cost of such meals up to the maximum allowable amount published in the Federal Register, or as otherwise approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. THREE-FOURTHS Employer agrees to offer the worker employment for a total number of work hours equal to at least three fourths of the workdays of the total period beginning with the first workday after the arrival of the worker at the place of employment or the advertised contractual first date of need, whichever is later, and ending on the expiration date specified in the work contract or in its extensions, if any. TOOLS Employer agrees to provide to the worker, without charge or deposit charge, all tools, supplies, and equipment required to perform the duties assigned. CLOSING DATE/DEADLINE Employer will accept referrals until July 14, 2024 HOW TO APPLY/REQUEST A REFERRAL This employer has asked WorkSource to refer only fully qualified applicants for this job. If you would like to request a referral, please contact any WorkSource office for detailed instructions on how to apply. Job ID: 269780475 WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabilities. Washington Relay Services: 711 In view of the statutorily established basic function of the ES as a no-fee labor exchange, that is, as a forum for bringing together employers and job seekers, neither the ETA nor the SWAs are guarantors of the accuracy or truthfulness of information contained on job orders submitted by employers. Nor does any job order accepted or recruited upon by the ES constitute a contractual job offer to which the ETA or a SWA is in any way a party. Staff Special Instructions Please link to access the side by side checklist, Workers' rights trifold and a copy of the complete job order for inspection. |