Royal City- Sprayer Applicator/Aplicador en Spray

Monson Fruit•Selah, WA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves a wide range of tasks in fruit production, focusing on orchard maintenance, fruit cultivation, and the safe operation of specialized farm equipment. Responsibilities include pruning, harvesting, tree care, irrigation management, fence maintenance, and weed control. Workers will operate machinery for spraying, fertilizing, mowing, and tilling, as well as perform routine maintenance and repairs on equipment. The position requires adherence to strict safety protocols, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maintaining a drug-free workplace. Work schedules vary seasonally, and Saturday work is often required. A demonstration period will assess understanding of job specifications and techniques. Workers must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 60 lbs and working on ladders or platforms.

Requirements

Minimum of three months of prior orchard experience operating specialty orchard equipment.
Provide relevant work history.
WPS Handlers Card Required
Medical Evaluation
Respirator Fit Test
Clean Shaven Face (For Respirator Fit)
Must adhere to all WSDA PPE Requirements (Company will provide)
Ability to stand, walk, and work on feet for extended periods.
Capability of lifting and carrying up to 60 lbs regularly.
Ability to work on the ground, on ladders, or on motorized platforms.
Willing and able to drive tractors, planters, and other mechanized farm equipment.
Ability to manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust machinery mechanisms.
Ability to repair or replace defective parts and attach farm implements using hand tools.
Willing and able to install and maintain irrigation systems and water lines.
Ability to operate all equipment safely.
Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required.
Must report to work in proper clothing and footwear (closed-toe and durable).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity and safe use of orchard ladders (up to 12 feet) is essential.
Training in apple and cherry trees using trellis systems.
Ability to identify signs of disease (e.g., blight in apples/pears, gummosis in cherries).
Experience with 4-wheeler for fence line inspection.

Responsibilities

Perform manual and mechanized tasks related to fruit production, including pruning, harvesting, and orchard maintenance.
Use orchard ladders (up to 12 feet) safely.
Stand, walk, and work on feet for extended periods.
Lift and carry up to 60 lbs regularly during harvest.
Work on the ground, on ladders, or on motorized platforms.
Clip and tie limbs and shoots to wires and position limbs for optimal growth on apple and cherry trees using trellis systems.
Care for young, non-producing trees by hoeing, weeding, painting trunks, hand fertilizing, and selecting growth.
Perform hand thinning of apple and cherry trees to manage fruit load.
Conduct pruning and thinning from the ground, ladders, or platforms using pruning hooks, shears, and hand tools.
Pick various apple, pear, and cherry varieties according to company standards, selecting based on color, size, and ripeness.
Handle fruit with care to prevent bruising or damage when placing it in bins.
Use picking bags and ladders regularly during harvest.
Assist in planting new trees, including clearing land, planting, and building trellises.
Perform nursery tasks such as hoeing, weeding, planting, irrigating, and pruning.
Apply compost and perform general labor to support the development of new orchard blocks.
Monitor and care for trees during the growing season, identifying signs of disease.
Prop and tie limbs to support tree structure and fruit development.
Repair and maintain overhead sprinkler and cooling systems.
Prepare for harvest by spreading liners in bins and manually rolling bins into orchard rows.
Load and unload empty bins by hand and place them in designated orchard areas.
Perform mechanical work as needed at the worksite.
Maintain cleanliness of the orchard by removing trash, old string, and wire from trellises and blocks.
Perform other manual clean-up tasks as assigned.
Move irrigation lines to ensure even water coverage, repairing damaged lines and maintaining a consistent irrigation cycle.
Keep all irrigation equipment in good working condition.
Inspect fence lines using a 4-wheeler and perform necessary repairs to keep cattle safely contained.
Abate noxious weeds using tools such as hoes and other standard methods.
Spread composted material to enrich the soil and perform additional labor to support efficient cattle grazing.
Drive tractors, planters, and other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest fruit crops.
Use equipment to cut, pull, dig, clean, chop, or bundle harvested crops.
Load and unload harvested fruits or other materials manually or with mechanized tools.
Mow, cut, and weed orchards as needed.
Prepare and clear land for planting by removing trash, rocks, and other debris, and leveling land.
Operate specialty orchard tractors for mechanical pesticide, herbicide, fungicide spraying, mechanical fertilizing, weed mowing, flailing, disking, hilling, weeding, shoot thinning, trunk scrubbing, sucker removal, de-leafing, and bin trailer operation during harvest.
Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust machinery mechanisms.
Perform routine service and maintenance of equipment, including lubricating grease points, checking fluid levels, inspecting belts and conveyors, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, and other wear parts.
Repair or replace defective parts and attach farm implements using hand tools.
Perform general farm maintenance and repairs.
Install and maintain irrigation systems and water lines, including moving and installing irrigation pipes and equipment, digging and maintaining ditches, and installing or removing levee gates.
Perform frost control duties, including starting and maintaining wind machines, operating smudge pots, and managing burn piles.
Operate all equipment safely to protect the operator, others, and the employer’s property and products.
Wear assigned personal protective equipment when required.
Report to work in proper clothing and footwear (closed-toe and durable).