AGRICULTURAL WORKER, X621, - Yakima, Tieton, Ellensburg, Mattawa, Quincy, Mesa, Othello, Royal City, Pasco, H2A
This is an H-2A job order for apples and cherries.
This H-2A job opportunity is limited to qualified, available workers that are currently eligible to work in the United States, per federal regulation.
This job requires pruning, thinning, training, of apples, cherries and other farm-related activities as indicated below by the worker.
THINNING: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. Some examples thinning tasks are, but not limited to: Removing the smallest fruit blossom, bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged and/or with other quality problems as directed by supervisors. The Worker must be able to use scissor-like clippers. Thinning may be performed from the ground, a ladder or a motorized platform. The Worker must possess the ability to pick up and handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing up to 40 pounds.
TRAINING: Training is a process in which the fruit tree is manipulated to increase yield and/or quality. Some example training tasks are but not limited to: Tying, taping or clipping apple or cherry limbs to wires. Tying up or down apple or cherry limbs. Training and limb positioning of apple and cherry trees. Shoot thinning, sucker removal, cluster thinning, shoot positioning, hedging, or leaf removal. Propping and supporting apple trees. Training may be performed from the ground, a ladder, or a motorized platform. The Worker must possess ability to pick up and handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds.
PRUNING: The Worker will prune numerous varieties of apple and cherry trees according to established Company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. The Worker may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size and color as instructed by the crew supervisor. The Worker is expected to possess or acquire pruning skills in order to identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward-growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoots/suckers with hand pruning saws and clippers, and/or mechanized equipment in pruning activities. Work will be performed on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment including
but not limited to hand shears, hand loppers, and hand saws. Pruning may be performed from the ground, a ladder, or a motorized platform. The Worker must possess ability to pick up and handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing up to 40 pounds.
CREW LEAD: The Worker will perform daily tasks under the direction of a ranch manager or orchard operations manager. The Worker will lead and give directions to small groups of Workers on how to perform jobs. Instruction will be received from the ranch manager to crew lead as to where to move the crew, what work is to be completed, and what expectations to set. The Worker will evaluate work performed to ensure production and quality standards are being met. Coaching will be provided to Workers to ensure performance is meeting the minimum level. The Worker will provide feedback to the ranch manager regarding Worker performance and ensure the crew is working. Furthermore, the Worker is responsible for reporting to the ranch
manager or safety manager if any work injuries or near misses occur. The Worker must be able to walk and stand during the work day. The Worker must possess ability to pick up and handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing up to 40 pounds.
CHECKER: The Worker will perform daily tasks under the direction of a ranch manager or orchard operations manager. The Worker will check the bins each Worker picks for quality (no debris, under-developed fruit, bruising, etc.). The Worker will also provide employees with an accurate accounting of fruit picked to ensure accuracy of pay. The Worker will evaluate work performed to ensure production and quality standards are being met. The Worker will provide feedback to the ranch manager regarding Worker performance. The Worker must be able to walk and stand during the work-day. In addition to pruning, thinning, and training, the Worker may be asked to perform other normal farm activities such as but not limited to trellis construction and maintenance, tree planting and orchard development, weed control, irrigating, fertilizing and
pest or disease control. In all cases, instruction as well as any necessary equipment will be provided.
IRRIGATOR: Operate irrigation pumps and valves, repair irrigation systems, clean and flush irrigation lines and pump stations, change and/or repair sprinkler heads, prune trees to remove overhead blockage, prune root suckers, and low branches blocking sprinkler spray pattern, rodent baiting and trapping, maintain drainage systems, utilize irrigation control systems, apply irrigation according to schedule and record information, fertigation, frost control to include starting wind machines and/or overhead water.
SPRAYER/TRACTOR DRIVER: Knowledge of how-to pre-check equipment prior to use; including oil, transmission, cooling system, tires, hydraulics, air filters, belts, and safety equipment. General tractor operation includes Safety equipment, hydraulics, PTO’s, proper gear selection and monitoring of tractor performance during operation. Implement operation including forklifts, sprayers, bin trailers, platforms, spreaders, choppers, brush mowers, weed sprayers, hedgers, mechanical thinners, root pruners. Sprayer and equipment calibration. Proper drawing and use of required personal protective equipment.
VAN/BUS DRIVER: Operation of 12-15 passenger vans with a valid driver license issued within the US or from Mexico or Canada. The bus will consist of 35-48 passenger seats. The bus driver will need to have a US CDL Class A with P endorsement or a Mexican Federal License with Class B endorsement. The driver must be able to pass a DOT physical for van driving and/or possess a current medical card for the length of the contract. Must conduct a daily safety check on the vehicle before operation. Must obey all State and Federal driving regulations and speed limits. Must stop at all railroad crossings. The driver will be responsible for safely transporting the worker(s) from a central location, such as worker housing, to and from each work site, grocery store and/or doctor appointments.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Must have at least (3) months experience in tree fruit
Ability to lift 40 lbs.
HOURS/DAYS/SCHEDULE
6 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 5 hours on Saturday.
The contract period is from June 7, 2023 to August 12, 2023.
SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS
The offered wage rate is the highest of AEWR, the prevailing hourly/piece rate, the agreed-upon collective bargaining wage or the federal or state minimum wages at the time work is performed. These rates are subject to change and may increase/decrease during the period of this contract.
In all cases, the highest of the AEWR, prevailing hourly/piece, the agreed-upon collective bargaining wage, the federal or state minimum wage will be paid to worker for the payroll period. Current AEWR $17.97
The payroll period shall be weekly.
Employees who work a minimum of 1500 hours during a calendar year will earn a vacation benefit. More than 1500 hours = .01 hours of vacation time for every hour worked. More than 2000 hours = .025 hours of vacation time for every hour worked. Medical/dental benefits are available after a qualifying period. Paid S/L
Medical and dental benefits are available to eligible employees
The employer will furnish, without charge, all tools, supplies and personal protective equipment required in the performance of the specified work.
Employer will provide cooking facilities & utilities at no cost to employees
occupying employer-housing. Employees will purchase their own food & 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 charge $15.46 per day or the current allowable charge as designated by the DOL.
Transportation costs to the job site for domestic workers from outside the local commuting distance of the job site will be reimbursed by the employer after 50% of the contract period. In order to comply with the FLSA, the employer will advance any amount owed prior to the first paycheck. Workers who do not complete 50% of the contract will have the advance deducted from their final paycheck.
Transportation costs from the job site to the workers home will be provided to those domestic workers that complete the entire contract period.
Employer guarantees to offer employment for the hourly equivalent of 3/4 or 75% of the workdays of the work contract beginning with the first day of work.
Full employment description of employer benefits is available from the employer.
CLOSING DATE/DEADLINE
Employer will accept referrals until July 11, 2023
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: 255101346
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.
Please follow the link to the side by side checklist, Workers' rights trifold and a copy of the complete job order for inspection.