Vineyard Worker
Employer: Jan M. Waltz Vintner, LLC
Location: Manheim, PA
Workers needed: 4
Pay: $14.40/hour
Season: Jan 1, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027
Experience: 2 months
Employer-provided housing; Transportation provided/reimbursed
The job
Multiple contract dates available. Alternative start date(s) include: 01/01/2027 (2 workers); 04/15/2027 (2 workers). The exact start date and/or number of workers may vary based on weather, crop conditions or other factors.
Crops/Commodities: Grapes.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Workers will perform manual and mechanized tasks in the production of grapes. Plant, cultivate, and/or harvest grapes. Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation. Thin fruit and remove shoots, leaves and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities including but not limited to weed control and trellis installation and repair. Install and maintain bird netting. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. May perform general 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). Employer will demonstrate proper pruning practices and identify the canes and vines to be removed, while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Workers must consistently follow demonstrated pruning practices as directed to assure vine balance and preserve vine health.
Workers will be responsible for all tractor operations, including the safe and proper operation of our fleet that includes but not limited to: vineyard tractors, ground working tractors, and utility vehicles. Operators are responsible for daily equipment inspections, routine maintenance, cleaning, and winterizing as directed.
Tractor activities include but are not limited to: cover crop planting/seeding; bird net application; canopy hedging, mechanical pre-pruning; spraying pesticides and herbicides, mowing, mechanical leaf-pulling, rototilling, planting, harvesting, and maintaining structures/grounds/trellis.
Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants as directed by the employer. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times as instructed by the employer, depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Employer is responsible for identifying crop conditions, selecting appropriate products in accordance with restrictive use laws, maintaining chemical inventory, and calibrating sprayer equipment. Worker applies products and operates sprayer equipment as instructed.
Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences.
Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.
Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping.
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. Workers responsible for securing inbound transportation arrangements. For non-local workers, employer reimburses reasonable travel costs (transportation, daily subsistence, and lodging if applicable), at least-cost economy-class rates, from the place worker departed to the employer’s place of employment.
Experience wanted: 2 months
This job requires a minimum of 2 months of agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with production of grapes. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Work outside in inclement weather conditions. Perform repetitive movements, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting, carrying and loading up to 60 lbs. required.
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