Vineyard Equipment Operator (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Okanagan Crush Pad Winery (http://www.okanagancrushpad.com)

  Summerland & Oliver, British Columbia

Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, located in Summerland, BC operates vineyards in Summerland, and Oliver producing 40,000 cases of wine annually for its own labels (Haywire, Narrative & Free Form) and for several other wineries. Our vineyards are all organic certified. Working with our New Zealand trained Director of Viticulture, we have a position for an experienced Equipment Operator.

We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about organic viticulture and the future of the Okanagan Valley as an ultra-premium wine growing region and who wishes to join a dynamic team.

 

This role involves: 

• In conjunction with our Director of Viticulture, execute all equipment operations including but not limited to mulching, mowing, spraying, etc on our 3 vineyard properties located in Summerland and Oliver, 100 acres total.
• Safe and effective operation of vineyard equipment, implements and vehicles.
• Keep all vineyard spray records accurate and up to date.

·         Light duty maintenance and cleaning of equipment (trucks, tractors, sprayers…)

• Occasional assistance with manual labour tasks (pruning, trellis maintenance, winery work etc)

Skills required:

• 5 years of vineyard experience with some experience or training in organic viticulture.
• Competency in safe operation of vineyard equipment, pruning, canopy management, disease/pest control, harvesting and irrigation management.
• Good mechanical aptitude and problem solving.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as autonomously.
• Ability to work early mornings, flexible hours to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• In good health, and able to lift 50lbs.

Qualifications:

• Experience in a similar role.
• Viticulture diploma or certificate an asset.
• Operating experience with tractors and implements.
• Strong mechanical capabilities.
• Current spray applicator certification.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Experience maintaining vineyard equipment.
• Working knowledge of organic grape growing techniques.
• A strong work ethic, integrity, and reliability.
• Forklift ticket considered an asset.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish considered an asset.

Salary will be based on level of experience of the candidate.

Please respond with a cover letter stating wage expectations and resume to [email protected]. We would like to thank all applicants; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

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