Overwintering Beekeeper

Crops/Commodities: Honey. The Overwintering Beekeeper performs manual and mechanical beekeeping work during the winter maintenance period, when colonies are held in Georgia yards between the end of honey production and the start of pollination contracts. This position does not include honey harvest or extraction, queen rearing, colony divides, or work in New York.

The worker inspects overwintering hives on a regular schedule, checks food stores, and feeds colonies with syrup, fondant, or pollen substitute as needed. The worker applies mite, disease, and pest treatments, monitors for small hive beetle, wax moth, and predation, and removes or combines weak or dead colonies. The worker keeps hives protected from cold and moisture by adjusting entrances, insulation, and ventilation and by repairing or reinforcing hive bodies, bottom boards, and covers.

The worker prepares hives and equipment in Georgia for shipment to almond pollination contracts, including grading colonies, strapping and netting hives, staging pallets, and loading and unloading with hand tools. The worker also builds, repairs, cleans, and paints hive boxes, frames, and pallets and helps with routine upkeep of the shop and yard sites.

Work is outdoors in all weather with prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, and repetitive motion. The worker must lift and carry up to 75 pounds, have no fear of bees and no allergy to bee stings or hive products, and wear employer provided protective equipment when required. Daily schedules may change with weather and colony condition. A five day trial period will evaluate proficiency in the essential duties.

Requirements: 3 months of experience. Exposure to extreme temp, lifting 75 lbs, repetitive movements, extensive pushing and pulling,

extensive walking, frequent stooping.