AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, X28, ROOSEVELT, PROSSER, PATERSON
This job opportunity is limited to qualified, available workers that are currently eligible to work in the United States, per federal regulation.
This is a job order for wine grapes, vegetables, rotation crops and almond trees
Tractor Operator (Vineyard, almonds, and farm): Workers must have a minimum of two (2) months of tractor operating experience. Workers will be responsible for all tractor operations, including the safe and proper operation of our fleet that includes but not limited to: specialty grape vineyard tractors, Pellenc grape vineyard harvesters, row crop tractors, ground working tractors and specialty row crop harvesters. Operators are responsible for daily tractor inspections and maintenance. Operators are also responsible to install and remove tractor implements and make minor repairs on tractors.
Must have experience driving Pellenc tractors. Must also have experience operating the harvesting implimate attached to Pellenc Tractors.
Vineyard Planting: Under the direction of a supervisor, workers will plant new vineyards. This may include, but is not limited to, working in the Nursery to gather young vines. Digging a hole, by machine or hand tools, and placing a vine in the hole and covering the hole with dirt by use of a machine or hand tools. By use or a machine or hand tools, workers will need to develop the Trellis. The includes, but is not limited to: Placing wood end posts in the ground. Placing metal inside posts in between vines. Spooling out and attaching wire to the Trellis. Rolling out and installing irrigation systems.
Wire Moving: Workers must be able and willing to work to maintain vine trellises by moving wire, maintain and repair structures/grounds, maintenance of above ground trellising, maintenance of existing trellising, may include tying vine to trellis at any of the listed grape vineyard locations (worksite location may frequently change based on the needs of the grape vines), and workers must be able and willing to work on weekends as needed for proper viticultural health of the grape vines. Must be able to safely and repeatedly lift 50 pounds to a height of up to 66 inches (5.5 feet).
Hand Weeding: Under the direction of a supervisor, workers are required to spot all weeds around crops and in between seed lines and use their hands to completely remove all these weeds (including their roots) from the soil. Workers may be asked to place weeds in a specific spot in
the field or to remove them completely from the field using a bucket or other device to haul them as instructed by field supervisor. Workers must often crouch, crawl, sit or kneel and then move along to remove weeds for extended periods of time. Must be able to see and completely
remove weeds that are small (size of a thick piece of hair). Must be in possession of the requisite strength and endurance and tenacity to focus on the quality of work and perform in such a way that each area worked is completely free of viable weeds when the task is complete without the
need for re working that area. Must be able to carry up to 20 pounds for long periods of time. Must be able to carefully and without losing balance, walk/move along very uneven, hilly, soft, or wet ground for extended periods of time in cold and/or hot conditions. The employer will provide any tools necessary (if applicable) to perform the job described without charge to the worker.
Corn De-tasseling: Under the direction of a supervisor, workers will walk down the aisles between the rows of plants in corn fields for the purpose of de-tasseling seed corn, and/or removing/destroying rogue corn plants. The worker, in order to perform this kind of work must be able focus on quality (i.e. the quick and efficient, complete removal of all tassels and/or rogues in their given row) while working in all weather conditions especially hot, wet and humid conditions. Workers must be in possession of the requisite strength and endurance and tenacity, working quickly and skillfully with their hands (hands positioned at anywhere from below waist level to above head level). Must be able to carefully and without losing balance, walk/move along very uneven, hilly, soft, or wet ground for extended periods of time. The employer will provide the tools necessary (if applicable) to perform the job described without charge to the worker.
Other Vegetable Production Work: Tasks may include grading/sorting out cull material from onion/carrots harvest operations, handling burlap bags, topping onions.
Other Tasks may include general vineyard/farm cleanup tasks including: picking up garbage within the vineyard/farm, de-suckering, shoot thinning, hand pruning. Work may also include: installation, repair, moving and de-installation of irrigation equipment. Work may also include driving ATV’s and/or mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation, power equipment may include tractors, planters, sprayers, cultivators, forklifts, loaders, semi and water trucks and other equipment. Workers will be expected to be able to operate agricultural equipment with or without direction while following all company and manufacturers’ safety standards. 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 be required to drive company vehicles. Workers with proper license(s) and/or endorsements, may include but not limited to operating motor vehicles for transporting workers to and from the housing location(s) to the job site(s) and weekly trips to town for groceries and supplies.
Additional duties may include Grafting and Vineyard Removal using, but limited to, backhoe and/or mini excavator.
Workers must be able and willing to work at any of the listed grape vineyard locations and vegetable production locations (worksite location may frequently change based on the needs of the crops), and workers must be able and willing to work day or night shifts and on Saturdays as
needed for the proper cultivation of the crops.
Workers must be prepared to work outdoors in cold weather. Work may be performed during wind, light rain or snow and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 20 degrees to 100 degrees F. Work requires repetitive movements. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers’ ability to perform the job. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Workers must perform required duties without close supervision and listen to, understand, and follow simple instructions of the employer or supervisor. All workers must adhere to Mercer Ranches’ policies, including safety, drug free workplace, harassment, driving, food safety policies, and housing policies.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Workers must have a minimum of two (2) months of prior agricultural experience operating tractors, implements and harvesters. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience as an agricultural equipment operator. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required.
HOURS/DAYS/SCHEDULE
Contract period: January 15, 2024 to November 15, 2024
6.5 hours a day Monday – Friday and 6.5 hours on Saturday
SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS:
No worker will be paid less than the AEWR of $17.97 per hour
$19.48/hr.
The payroll period shall be bi-weekly.
The employer will furnish, without charge, all tools, supplies and personal protective equipment required in the performance of the specified work.
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 $15.46 per day.
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 June 16, 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: 265254244
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.
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Washington Relay Services: 711
Please follow the link to the side by side checklist, Workers' rights trifold and a copy of the complete job order for inspection.