VAN DRIVER & FARM WORKER, X15, Naches, Gleed, Yakima, Mattawa, Zillah, Sunnyside, Wapato, Tieton, Benton City This is a job order for field work and labor for growing, maintaining, and harvesting apples, cherries, and pears. Also, workers will perform van driving duties, as well as general farm labor and harvesting labor required when not driving. 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, and pears. Job Duties Workers will perform van driving duties, as well as general farm labor and harvesting labor required when not driving. Van drivers pick up workers from the housing sites/pick up points and drop them off at the worksite. At the end of the workday, Van driver will take the workers back to the housing sites/pick up points. Drivers are also responsible, during the workday, for filling the vehicle with gasoline and keeping it clean. Van drivers perform MSPA and related paperwork (i.e., logging) as required by law. Van drivers will be required to perform daily maintenance checks. Daily logs will be either in paper or electronic forms. Van Driver Specifications: For those drivers transporting workers in WA State 12/15 passenger - Employee may drive Van over the road.
- Employee will pick up workers from different housing sites/pick up points and take them to an assigned work site and at the end of the work day. Van driver will then transport employees back to housing sites. If it is pay day or grocery day, Van Driver will transport them to local grocery stores and or banks.
- In order to drive a Van, Employees must possess a valid drivers' license (state issued) and must be able to pass Class B Physical exam and register as an FLCE driver. Or Mexican Drivers license will be used to apply for FLCE certificate. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the Driver's License, Class B Physical Exam, and registration as an FLCE driver (if any). All employees in this position (H-2A as well as corresponding domestic workers), will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver's license (DL) and register as an FLCE driver on a voluntary basis. The DL and FLCE Certificate are not a pre-hire job requirement. No job applicant will be denied an employment opportunity due to a lack of a DL or FLCE Certificate at the time of application and/or hiring. Further, no worker (H-2A or corresponding domestic worker) will be terminated for failure to obtain a DL or FLCE Certificate. Drivers must not have a license that has been revoked or a license restricted by a court for a driving offense and that is valid under Washington State rules and be accepted by the employer's insurance carrier.
Cherry, Apple and Pear Harvest: The worker will hand harvest fruit 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. 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 that will not harm buds on tree branches. The worker will carry the harness, bucket or bag of fruit and will place the fruit into lugs. The worker must exercise care at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be tasked with examining harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications. Additional Duties: Caring for trees during growing process. Monitoring tree disease such as blighted branches in apples and gummosis in cherries. Harvest preparation including spreading liners in bins and rolling bins into blocks by hand. Loading and unloading empty bins by hand. Sorting fruit during harvest and verifying quality of fruit Farm clean up tasks to include picking up garbage around the orchard, removing old string/ wire from trellis/ orchard blocks and other tasks. Operating farm machinery and/ or motorized vehicles to assist in orchard work and transporting fruit, materials, supplies and workers. Maintenance tasks for farm machinery. Assisting Orchard Manager in daily duties Bin repair Workers may also: Operate or maintain equipment used in agricultural production and field preparation such as tractors, irrigation equipment, 4-wheelers, trucks, and other commonly used equipment in agriculture. Operate tractors to mow, weed spray and trailers in the fields. Load and mix chemicals in addition to operating tractors pulling air blast sprayers. Install monitor, maintain and repair the irrigation system for a specified area of the fields. Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers. Workers may also clear debris and garbage from fields and clean/maintain farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Verify bin count and numbers and ensuring bins are adequately full. Communicate with crew boss to ensure bins are full and fruit is handled appropriately. Laying and removing mylar from orchards. Sanitize bins, lugs and buckets. Remove bins from orchards, pick up lugs from orchards. Hoeing of apple trees. Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions. Maintain and operate drip irrigation equipment. Record irrigation times and evaluate need for repairs and adjustments to the irrigation system. Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions. Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools. Operate towed machines to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops. This application encompasses general farm labor and labor for the raising and harvest of apples, pears, and cherries. The anticipated hours listed represent the normal work schedule. Due to the nature of these crops, weather, and the requirement to send crops to customers when needed, it is the prevailing practice to work more or different hours than those listed. A worker may be offered more than the specified hours of work; however, the worker will not be required to work for more than the number of hours specified in the job order, or on the worker’s Sabbath or Federal holidays. Saturday work may be required. Employer-paid drug test is required if a worker has an accident at work. Work day start times vary depending on the weather. Depending on the time of year, hours of daylight, and production requirements. Workers must be able to work varying shifts as required by the season and work performed. Workers are notified of any change in the start times. Work may be performed during rain, light snow, cold, freezing temperatures and/or in high humidity and in temperatures over a 100 degrees F. Worker may be required to work in fields when crops are wet with dew/rain and should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions. Worker must possess requisite physical strength and endurance to repeat the harvest process throughout the workday. Workers must work at a sustained, vigorous pace and make bona-fide efforts to work efficiently and consistently that are reasonable under the climatic and all other working conditions. JOB REQUIREMENTS - Must have at least three (3) months experience of general farm labor.
- Must be able to work in extreme temperatures
- Must be able to perform extensive pushing/pulling, sitting/walking, and frequent stooping and bending over
- Saturday work required
- Ability to lift/carry 60 lbs.
HOURS/DAYS/SCHEDULE Contract period is January 15, 2024 to November 14, 2024 7 hours per day, Monday through Friday 5 hours Saturdays SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS Wage offer $19.48/hour No work will be performed at less than the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) of $17.97 AEWR The payroll period is biweekly. Piece Rates: Harvest - Cripps Apples. $30.00 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $22.50/hr. based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Dark Red / Cherry $.22 per pound. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $22 per hr. based on workers picking 100 lbs per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Fuji Apples. $28.26 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21.19 based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Gala Apples. $28.26 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21.19 based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Granny Smith Apples. $28.26 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21.19 based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest – Honeycrisp Apples. $31.76 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $23.82/hr. based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Lapin Cherry. $.20 per pound. . Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $20 per hr. based on workers picking 100 lbs per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest – Sweetheart Cherry. $.21 per pound. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21 per hr. based on workers picking 100 lbs per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Yellow Cherry. $.21 per pound. Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21 per hr. based on workers picking 100 lbs per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Apples, Stem Clip - Low Density. Workers will be guaranteed $17.97 per hour, or applicable AEWR. Harvest - Pears – All Varieties. Workers will be guaranteed $17.97 per hour, or applicable AEWR. Pruning - Apples- All Varieties. Workers will be guaranteed $17.97 per hour, or applicable AEWR. Harvest - Apples – All other varieties. $28.26 Per Bin (47 X 47 X 24.5) Estimated hourly wage rate equivalent for this piece rate is $21.19 based on workers filling 0.75 bins per hour on average. Guaranteed AEWR $17.97/hour Harvest - Color Picking Apples. Workers will be guaranteed $17.97 per hour, or applicable AEWR. HOUSING The employer will provide housing at no cost for H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment who are not reasonably able to return to their residence within the same day in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(d). Kitchen and other common facilities will be shared. Employer will assign employees housing accommodations. TRANSPORTATION For workers residing in employer provided housing, employer provides, at no cost to workers, daily transportation to and from the worksite. Use of employer-provided transportation is voluntary. Daily transportation to/from the worksite is not available to workers who do not reside in employer-provided housing. Local workers and workers who decline employer provided housing are responsible for own daily transportation. 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(9). 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 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: 265320700 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. |