at Big Sky Farms in Starksboro, Vermont, United States
Job Description
All applicants must be able, willing and qualified to perform the work described in the job order and must be available for the entire period of employment specified in Section A.3 & A.4. This work order is for qualified
individuals to perform agricultural work in a commercial-scale maple sugaring operation, including installing and maintaining sap tubing systems, tapping and untapping sugar maple trees, and canning finished maple syrup.
Workers will install new sap tubing lines through the woods, including laying out and connecting mainlines, lateral tubing, droplines, fittings, and spouts throughout the sugarbush. They will clear brush and other obstructions,
then set, tension, and anchor lines to maintain proper slope and vacuum. Workers will also install and connect vacuum, collection, and pumping components as directed. Workers will maintain and repair tubing systems by
walking and inspecting lines, locating and repairing leaks, clearing blockages, and addressing animal damage. They will monitor sap flow and vacuum levels and make necessary adjustments to ensure efficient operation. At
the end of the season, workers will flush, clean, sanitize, and store tubing and collection equipment. Workers will tap trees at the beginning of the season by assessing tree health and size, drilling tap holes, and installing
spouts and droplines. At the end of the season, they will remove taps and store all associated hardware. Workers will also be responsible for canning, bottling, labeling, sealing, and packing finished maple syrup in
accordance with food safety and grading requirements. This includes cleaning and sanitizing packing equipment and work areas, as well as staging and storing finished products. General duties include loading, unloading,
and moving equipment and supplies; maintaining tools, equipment, and work areas; and performing other tasks customary to a maple operation as assigned. The work is physically demanding and requires extensive walking
over uneven, steep, and forested terrain in snow, ice, mud, and other winter conditions, as well as indoor sugarhouse work during packing. Duties include prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and
reaching, and workers must be able to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Workers are require to work 8-hour shifts within the hours of 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday. This schedule totals 40 hours per week.
The 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. range reflects the seasonal and weather-dependent nature of maple tapping operations, including variability in sap flow and collection conditions. This flexibility ensures workers can complete their
required weekly hours while responding to daily production needs. Workers will not be scheduled to work a full 12-hour shift. Workers may offer to work on Saturday or Sunday when operational needs require, provided such
work is mutually agreed upon by both the employer and the employee. Workers will be provided with at least 30-minute lunch break, staggered between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as determined by both the workers and
management. Workers may choose where to eat their lunch and must return to work after the 30-minute break. The daily and weekly work schedules may vary due to weather, temperature, and other environmental
conditions that affect maple tapping and sap collection. The employer will notify workers of any changes to the schedule as soon as practicable. The employer will provide one day of training and two days of work to
demonstrate satisfactory performance of the duties described in this job description. The employer will provide, at no cost to the workers, all tools and equipment required to perform the assigned duties. Workers must be able
to understand and follow directions in simple English.
