FARMWORKERS/LABORERS, X305, Yakima, Tieton, Gleed, Wapato, Zillah, Sunnyside, Eltopia, Kennewick, Quincy, Mattawa This is a job order for field work and labor for growing and maintaining Apples, cherries, grapes, and pears. 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, grapes, and pears. JOB DUTIES: Cherry Harvest: The worker will hand harvest marketable cherries on a motorized platform, from the ground and/or utilizing a ladder. Hand pick fruit leaving stems attached. The worker will attach the harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit. The worker will pick according to grade, color, and size by grasping fruit with their hands and removing it from the tree in a motion so as not to cause "picker damage" defined as harming adjacent buds on the tree branches, bruising, pulling stems or spurs. The Worker will place harvested fruit at bottom of basket/bucket. The worker will carry a harness, bucket, or bag of up to 20-30lbs and will place fruit into plastic lugs. Identify defects (bird pecks, limb rubs, splits, sunburn) and other damage. Follow supervisor/foreman's instructions on fruit quality. Must be able to differentiate between colors and sizes accurately. Pear & Apple Harvest: The worker will spot and/or strip pick fruit based on seasonal need. The worker will hand harvest marketable apple/ pears on a motorized platform, from the ground and/ or utilizing a ladder. The worker will attach the harness, bucket or bag and pick low hanging fruit, while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. The worker will pick according to grade, color, and size by grasping fruit with their hands and using their thumb to remove the fruit from the tree in a motion that will not harm the buds on tree branches and avoid stem pulls, punctures, bruising, or other damage. Pick culls and peelers. The worker will carry the harness or bag of up to 60 lbs. and will place the fruit into bins. The worker must exercise care at all times to prevent “picker damage", defined as bruising of fruit, stem/ spur punctures, clipper damage or other defects caused by improper care or technique. Some workers may be tasked with examining harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color, and size specifications. Workers will be directed to "sort pick", based on a pre-communicated color standard or removal of physiological defects (sunburn, diseased fruit). Grapes: Workers will plant, cultivate, maintain, and harvest grapes. Performs vineyard maintenance activities including, but not limited to, weed control and trellis construction and repair. Thin fruit and remove shoots, vines and leaves. Performs vineyard maintenance activities, including weeding. Tie vines to trellises. Must possess the requisite skills and knowledge of what, when, where and how much to prune on a grape vine. Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Supervisors will explain and demonstrate picking requirements to all workers at the start of the season and as needed thereafter to ensure quality standards. Bruised or damaged fruit will be noted by supervisor(s) in a post inspection quality report. Other Orchard Tasks: Walk through orchard and count number of trees in row. Requires standing. Spread plastic or other ground covering. Apply and remove shade cloth. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Till soil. Weed and thin plants. Transplant plants by hand. Stake/tie plants, trellis/prune plants, and set poles and wires for vine plants. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. Cut and weed fields. Apply mylar, and plant and band trees. The worker will prepare the land for agricultural use, maintain ground, and landscaping such as ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Use power equipment including but not limited to: tractors, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, forklifts, skid loaders. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Workers will be properly trained by farm managers, safety personnel, and/or professional trainers who has a valid Private Applicator license which is the standard pursuant to Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Furthermore, the farm managers and safety personnel will be available to ensure that workers understand all chemical labels, safety instructions, and application instructions pursuant to WSDA. Planting: Propagate plants by grafting, placing buds/scions. Plant seedlings or 'liners' by hand or with mechanical planter. Clear cull stock, brush and debris. Dig holes and shovel dirt. Weed mat application. Clear debris from field and clean farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas. Perform maintenance activities including but not limited to weed control and trellis construction and repair. Put out empty bins. Build/place bands. Cut cardboard. Workers will record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs. Record information about plants and plant growth. Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops. Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress. Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems. Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality. Monitor and review information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or access problems, and evaluate quality of plants or crops. Thinning: The worker will hand thin on a motorized platform, from the ground, and/ or utilizing a ladder. The worker will use scissor like clippers to remove small fruit blossoms, buds, and/ or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. The workers must be able to identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged, and/ or contains other quality problems. Training: The worker will hand train fruit trees on a motorized platform, from the ground and/ or utilizing a ladder. The worker will tie, tape, or clip fruit tree limbs to wires; position limbs of fruit trees; shoot thin; remove suckers, thin clusters, position shoots, hedge or remove leaves. Pruning: The worker will hand prune trees on a motorized platform, from the ground and/ or utilize a ladder. The worker will utilize hand shears, hand loppers, hand saws, and other equipment. The worker may be required to selectively prune trees of certain size and color as instructed by their supervisor. The worker will identify and remove stubs, broken branches, downward growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, deadwood, shoots, and suckers with various equipment. Tractor driving: The worker will be responsible for operating and maintaining the tractor. Once the bins are full of product, the worker will transfer the product into a trailer using a forklift. Additional Duties: 1. Weeding, hoeing, hand fertilizing and growth selection by hand and clipping. 2. General labor to assist in establishment of new orchard properties by clearing property, planting trees, building trellis, repair and spreading of composted material. 3. Caring for trees during growing process. 4. Monitoring tree disease such as blighted branches in apples and gummosis in cherries. 5. Harvest preparation including spreading liners in bins and rolling bins into blocks by hand. 6. Repairing sprinklers on overhead cooling system. 7. By hand, paint tree trunks to ensure the trees are protected from disease. 8. Loading and unloading empty bins by hand. 9. Maintenance tasks for farm machinery. 10. Sorting fruit during harvest. 11. Farm clean up tasks to include picking up garbage around the orchard, removing old string/ wire from trellis/ orchard blocks and other tasks. 12. Operating farm machinery and/ or motorized vehicles. The worker may drive semi-trucks to collect harvested crops in and around the field during harvest. The loaded semi-truck will be used to transport the harvested crop to the employer’s separate fields and/or its storage within the area of intended employment. The worker is exempt per Farm Exemption Use Classification, RCW 46.16A.080(3). Non-CDL requirement. Operate trucks to carry farm equipment, crops, and workers. Workers may drive company vehicles. Employees that want to be drivers must possess a valid driver’s license and have a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving). The driver’s license is not a pre-hire job requirement. 13. Place pheromones. 14. Spraying fruit trees. Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers. The worker may operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to spray crops. Workers will either have a valid pesticide license or supervised by someone with a valid pesticide license. 15. Mixing specified materials or chemicals, and dumping solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery. 16. Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools. 17. Identifying plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Will trap and destroy pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides. 18. Attend monthly safety meetings. 19. Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting. JOB REQUIREMENTS - Must have at least three (3) months of agricultural employment experience, handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities.
- Applicant must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience.
- Must possess the ability to pick up and handle a 10 - 12 ft. Orchard ladder.
- 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 February 1, 2024 to November 22, 2024 7 hours per day, Monday through Friday 5 hours Saturdays Depending on the seasonal workload, workers may be required to work a different shift than the time listed in Section A.6 Anticipated Days and Hours of Work. If necessary, those shifts might be: Night Shift; Full-Time (7 hours) Starts at 10:00 PM and ends at 5:00 AM Shift hours may vary depending on production. SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS Wage offer $17.97/hour No work will be performed at less than the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) of $17.97 AEWR The payroll period is weekly. Piece Rates Apples- Harvesting $28.26 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $14.13 to $21.20 per hr. based on a worker filling 0.5 to .75 bin per hr. on average, depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Apples/ Cripps Pink- Harvesting $30.00 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $ 12.90 to $22.50 per hr. based on a worker filling .43 to .75 per bin on average, depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Apples/ Honeycrisp- Harvesting $31.76 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $12.06 to $23.82 per hr. based on a worker filling .38 to .75 bin per hr. on average), depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. D’Anjou Pears – Harvesting- All $25.04 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $18.02 to $25.04 per hr. based on a worker filling .72 to 1 bin per hr. on average, depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Bartlett Pears, Harvesting-ALL $23.49 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $16.91 to $23.49 per hr. based on a worker filling .72 to 1 bin per hr. on average, depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Bosc Pear Harvest $25.04 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $17.53 to $25.04 per hr. based on a worker filling .70 to 1 bin per hr., depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Skeena Cherry Harvest $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Chelan Cherry Harvesting-All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Coral Champagne Cherry Harvesting-All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Lapin Cherry Harvesting- All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Sweetheart Cherry Harvesting- All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Bing Cherry Harvesting- All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Benton Cherry Harvesting-All $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Cherry - Harvesting | All Other Dark Red Varieties $00.21 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $10.50 to $21.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Cherry-Harvesting | Rainier/Yellow $00.30 Per pound. The estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece-rate may range from $15.00 to $30.00 per hr. based on a worker picking from 50 lbs to 100lbs per hour depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Pears for Processing Only $20.00 Per 47x47x24.5 bin. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate may range from $15 to $20 per hr. based on a worker filling 0.75 to 1 bin per hr. on average depending on various factors including weather, crop density, type of picking procedure, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Grape-Harvesting $1.40 $1.40 - $2.50 per 20 lb bucket or equivalent in 40 lb lug Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $19.00 based on workers filling 13.60 bin per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Weeding $25.00 $25.00 - $50.00 per acre. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers weeding 0.72 acres per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Tree planting $19.00 Orchard Tree Planting Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $19.00 based on workers planting 1 tree per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Pruning $00.10 $0.10 - $5.00 per tree. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers pruning 179.7 trees per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Workers may be eligible for bonuses based on performance or other company policy. Thinning $00.05 $0.05 - $1.00 per tree Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers thinning 359.4 trees per per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Workers may be eligible for bonuses based on performance or other company policy. Tree Training $00.04 $0.04 - $1.00 per tree. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers training 449.25 trees per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Workers may be eligible for bonuses based on performance or other company policy. Applying Mylar $50.00 $50.00 - $100 per roll. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $20.00 based on workers applying 0.4 rolls per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Shade Cloth Labor $15.00 Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $20.00 based on workers applying 1.33 shade cloth per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Tree Banding $00.25 $0.25 - $0.50 Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers banding 71.88 trees per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Placing Pheromones $00.25 $0.25 - $0.50 Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $17.97 based on workers placing 71.88 pheromones per hr on average, but may vary due to factors such as weather, orchard density, worker experience, and others. Guaranteed $17.97 per hour. Workers may be eligible for bonuses based on performance or other company policy. HOUSING The Employer will offer housing at no cost for the Workers if applicable, and to those in corresponding employment who are not reasonably able to return to their residence within the same day in accordance with 20 CFR655.122(d). The Worker may decline an offer of housing. Separate sleeping rooms will be designated for male and female workers. Kitchen and other common facilities will be shared. Workers must vacate housing promptly at the end of the contract period or upon termination, in accordance with state law. The Employer will assign the Worker housing accommodations, if applicable. No person may occupy the Employer-provided housing without prior written permission by the Employer. The Worker may decline an offer of housing. Housing has been inspected by the appropriate state agency. Workers residing in employer provided housing are responsible for maintaining the housing in a neat and clean manner. The employer will distribute and post a camp management plan and housing rules at each housing unit. Workers who do not comply with housing rules will be subject to progressive discipline up to and including termination and removal from housing. Workers are also required to report maintenance work orders, damages, and hazards to the employer immediately upon discovery. Workers must not take any action to cause the housing or the employer to be out of compliance with any federal, state, or local regulation. TRANSPORTATION The Employer will offer transportation to and from employer provided housing to the work site, at no cost to workers who qualify. MEALS The Employer will furnish cooking facilities with working appliances, hot water, a place to prepare food at no cost to employees occupying employer-provided housing. Employees will purchase their own food and prepare their own meals. In the event that it becomes necessary for the employer to provide 3 meals a day to the workers, the employer will deduct $15.46 per day or the current allowable charge as designated by the DOL from each worker’s pay. All breaks and lunches will be subject to local, state, and federal regulations. 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 June 28, 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: 266698230 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. |