Beekeeper

at Priority Pollination, LLC. in Yuma, Arizona, United States

Job Description

Bee handler. prior to checking colonies/hives will prepare supplement food source by mixing in a cement mixer of various food products for bees. Mixture is then placed on extra beehive/box lids that are then stacked onto pallets for transporting to field locations of colonies of bees (apiary). Once the bee handlers reach this location, they will remove the original lid and replace with lids that ware prepared with supplemental feed. Two to three nights later, the night crew will add syrup. This is done by removing the top box and locating the syrup reservoir. Then syrup is added to the reservoir by hose until the reservoir is full. This process is than repealed until all hives at this location are serviced. Bee handler will than travel to designated sites of other locations where other colonies/hives are located and repeat the process. Bee handler wil load, by forklift, or by hand, hives/boxes to locations of customers for the use of pollination of agriculture crops. Bee handlers may drive themselves to worksites in area of intended employment. Queen breeding takes place during this pollination period, by the bee handler dividing hives/boxes and checking brood, honey, and pollen to ensure that divides have adequate amount of each to support the hive/box until the queen emerges. Bee handler will return and remove from these same locations hives/boxes of bees when pollination is complete and return hives/boxes to their permanent sites (apiary). Bee handler will than return to such sites (apiary) to remove bee frames for honey collection by opening lid and removing frames to be transported to shop for extraction. During extraction, bee handler will place the frames of honey on an uncapping machine that removes the bee's wax. Then place the frames in a tumbler lo draw the honey out of the frame. When the honey Is removed the bee handler will place it in barrels and prep them for shipping. Pallets or hives/boxes may weigh up to 50 lbs. full. Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties. Such work will be temporary and insubstantial agricultural labor. Workers may operate farm vehicles and equipment around farm as needed. In the event that an employee Is Injured while on the job, the Company will provide a temporary work assignment that will be as closely related to the Job duties described herein, while the employee recovers from a
work-related Illness which meets with physicians' clearance to return to work under specific limitations. The work assignment will not be a permanent position, it will be temporary to accommodate the Injured worker under doctor's restrictions and time period that may differ from the heavy labor described within.

Itinerant beekeepers: This application is is being filed pursuant to 20 CFR 655.301 - 655.304. Special language for job description: Applicants must be available for the entire contract period. Applicants hired after the start date must be available to begin working where employer is currently located and remain for duration of itinerary.

Work is to be done for long periods of time in the field, when plants may be wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers ability to perform the job. Workers must be able to perform the required work with or without reasonable accommodations.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing appropriate work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Casual clothing not permitted. Workers wearing inappropriate clothing will not be permitted to start work.

Workers will have an unpaid lunch break when working more than 5 hours. Must report to work at the designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedules may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start/end times. Employer may request, but not require that workers work more than the stated daily hours, on the worker’s Sabbath, or on federal holidays.

Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company worksites or vehicles is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Out of concern for the safety of other workers, staff or the public at large, the employer reserves the right to terminate for cause, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, any worker found during the period of employment to have a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender.

The work described herein is regular, seasonal full-time work requiring all workers to be available as stated on the standard work schedule, throughout the entire contract period. Employees may experience a temporary reduction in work and/or a temporary work stoppage due to the natural agricultural cycle.

Employer retains the right to terminate workers for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to workers who: are regularly absent or tardy; malingers or otherwise refuses to work in accordance with direction, or is otherwise obviously unqualified to perform the job; is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary.

Non-U.S. workers may be terminated if one or more U.S. workers becomes available for the job during the employer's recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences.

Foreign workers will be advised of their responsibility to depart the U.S. when employment comes to an end. Employer will request and maintain records of each worker’s permanent home address, e-mail address (when available) and phone number.

Must have 3 months' work experience working as a beekeeper. Written verification of experience is required. Applicants must provide the name, address, and telephone number of any previous employer used as a reference. Workers may not have bee-, pollen- or honey-related allergies and must have or be able to obtain within 30 days of employment, a valid U.S. driver's license. Requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and able to use hand tools, including machetes. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, honey, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in field or dorms.