Farmworker

H2ajobs; Deptford Township (NJ); On-site; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-provided housing

Kitchen facilities in housing

Weekly transportation to town

Job summary

H2ajobs in Deptford Township, New Jersey is seeking a farmworker to plant, cultivate, harvest, grade, clean and pack grapes in our vineyard. You will help manage canopy, trim vines, and hand harvest grapes to meet quality standards.

The role requires outdoor work in varying weather, lifting up to 50 pounds, and following safety rules. Employer-provided housing includes kitchen facilities; meals are not provided. Weekly transportation to nearby towns is available.

Qualifications

• Two months of farmwork experience required.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform repetitive tasks.

Responsibilities

• Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade, clean and pack grapes.
• Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation.
• Hand harvest grapes and transport to designated containers.
• Sort, count, weigh, and package produce; maintain cleanliness.

Skills

Farm labor

Manual dexterity

Safety awareness

Tools

Hoe

Shovel

Shears

Clippers

Loppers

Saws

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Grapes.

Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):

General activities include, but are not limited to the following: Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade, clean and pack grapes. Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation. Thin fruit and remove shoots, leaves and vines. Transplant and train vines by positioning shoots in trellis. Hand harvest grapes of correct size, color and ripeness. Do not detach stem from grape in harvest process. Worker will place grapes or grape clusters into harvest container until the correct level of fullness is reached. Worker will carry container to designated location for emptying or exchange with empty container. Worker will return to row and repeat process. Worker will not damage grapevine or grapes. Worker will clean grapes as shown, discarding damaged grapes and place appropriate amount of product into package, seal and stack. Sort, count, check, weigh, stack, unstack and mark boxes/flats. Prepare fields. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Must consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health. Lift, carry, and load/unload products, materials and/or supplies.

Secondary duties (performed on less than half of the workdays in the contract period):

Perform vineyard maintenance activities including but not limited to weed control and trellis installation and repair. Install and maintain bird netting. Some grapes will be taken to the winery and dumped into a crusher. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. Will perform general maintenance and indoor tasks or post-harvest activities when outdoor vineyard work is not available (all such activities will be performed incident to or in conjunction with vineyard operation). Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Mow fields and maintain grounds surrounding the vineyard. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences, build and repair grapevine trellis systems.

Workers must comply with safety guidelines for usage of tools and equipment. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

TERMINATION.

Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property.

Housing:

• Employer-provided (including mobile or range)

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(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.

Transport:

• Employer pays/reimburses foreign workers for all visa-related costs (excluding passport fees) in the first workweek.
• For non-local workers, employer arranges/provides inbound transportation via common carrier mode of transportation (e.g., bus or plane) and reimburses workers for daily subsistence and reasonable lodging costs, if applicable.
• Use of employer-offered transportation is voluntary.

Experience wanted:

2 months

Two months of farmwork experience required. Work outside in inclement weather conditions including extreme temperatures and in areas where briers, poison ivy, insects and small varmint such as mice and ground hogs will be encountered. Crouch, reach, bend, and sit for extended periods of time. Lift, carry and load up to 50 pounds. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.