This job was posted by https://www.vermontjoblink.com : For more information, please see: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/jobs/1134593

All workers should have at least 3 months experience hand harvesting fruit on a commercial farm. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.

Northeastern Vine Supply, Pawlet, VT Vineyard: Workers involved in vineyard maintenance may be required to hoe vines, girdle, spread fertilizer, pick up roots and limbs, strip suckers or unwanted growth from vines, dig root suckers, knock, or trim fruit off vines, remove vines, lay irrigation pipe, repair, and maintain drip system, and strap and tie vines. Workers may be asked to perform varying degrees of canopy management, as well as harvest, prepare, and plant vines/stock/cuttings for new plantings. Workers may be asked to place grape crates into rows or lift protective netting beforehand harvest begins. Worker carefully removes bunches of grapes from vine with grape scissors or pruning tool, carefully places the fruit into a crate to specifications until full and not heaping. Worker places full crates onto wagon or walks full crates to end of row, later to be placed on wagon. Cycle repeats until the end of the shift or until the supervisor assigns a different task. Crate weighs up to 50 lbs. The duties include hand harvesting without pulling too hard as to damage the fruit or plants, carrying the fruit to a central location, hand sorting grapes on sorting table, and any other duties that are assigned. Workers may be asked to load and operate crate washing machine. Workers may be asked to tie nets which were raised to expose fruit for harvest near top of trellising system. Employer will provide all equipment. Instructions will be given for each task and expectations will be communicated to workers. The expectations for these duties will change based on crops and weather conditions. Therefore, workers will be expected to work diligently. Employer will review workers productivity at the end of a given pay period and not on a daily basis. If workers fail to keep up with the expected diligent work pace, workers may be offered alternate work, if available, or, after notice, workers may be terminated for cause. The following description of job activities applies to vineyards: Pruning: While pruning vines or canes, workers will receive proper tools for the particular job, i.e., saw, pruners, chain saws, loppers, and hand snips. These tools will be returned to the employer at the end of the task. Workers will be assigned rows of vines and must prune vines and canes according to the size of the vine and the need for the pruning. Workers must take care not to damage vines that are not being pruned. Workers must prune vines according to the above reference requirements. All workers must be able to lift and carry ladder, as well as work from the top of the ladder. Workers must remove all resulting materials from the vines rendered from performing pruning tasks. When pruning is complete on each vine, each worker is required to rake and scatter the resulting brush in the center of the tractor/equipment middles. Workers will be required to pick up and return ladders to the designated location as provided by the grower at the end of each workday or as directed by the grower or designated supervisor. BROKEN LADDERS SHOULD NOT BE USED, NOTIFY SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY IF A LADDER IS BROKEN. Equipment Operation: Worker may operate tractors, forklift, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery for land preparation, maintenanc , and cultivation, including to plow, harrow and fertilize soil and plants, and to plant, cultivate, and spray. Worker may operate equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors and implements. Worker may manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Worker may attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, and harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools. Worker may load containers and products using forklifts. Worker may operate grading and digging equipment. Properly licensed drivers may be asked to drive the other workers to and from the housing and the jobsites. Farm, Field, Shed, Warehouse and Storage Sanitation: All workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors and other sanitation duties. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. The farm owner/supervisor or a designated employee will provide specific instructions to other workers. The workers in this petition are in no manner considered supervisors nor have supervisor duties. Workers will be expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner and will be supervised to ensure adherence to instruction. Work will be closely monitored for quality.

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