It’s Almost Grape Harvest Time in California — Here’s How to Find a Great Seasonal Job

casks in a winery following harvest season

It’s mid-summer, which means we’re approaching the California grape harvest. Running August through October, the grape harvest is a massive undertaking that requires a temporary force with an array of specialized skills. 

It’s also the ideal time to secure a temp job in Northern California. Vineyards all over are hiring, and most of them are doing temp agencies to fill their open roles. No matter if you’re a picker or bottler or manager, there are plenty of jobs to be had this season.

 

How to find a temp job during the grape harvest in California

Sure, you can spend hours researching individual vineyards and filling out endless job applications. But staffing agencies provide an easier way, and make no mistake, applying through a staffing agency is the best way to find a temp job.

The process is fairly simple — and the beauty of getting a temp job through a staffing agency is that they’ll do most of the work for you. See, staffing agencies rely on their deep relationships with employers, and they do the research for you of isolating your best fit.

 

Star Tip: If you’re seeking employment at a winery or vineyard in California, visit our jobs board to find positions hiring now near you. Star Staffing specializes in hiring temp and seasonal workers throughout the wine industry. We also work with wineries in need of hiring support.

 

To begin, you’ll need to find the staffing agencies that serve your industry and region.

This might sound obvious — but it isn’t! — you’ll benefit from a staffing agency located in Northern or Central California if you’re looking to work the California grape harvest. And what’s more — you’ll want to work with an agency that has specific experience with the grape harvest. 

 

Once you’ve found your staffing agency, you’ll be able to browse high-quality jobs.

Typically, an agency’s board will let you filter by all kinds of categories, like temp, long-term, or industry. Do you have special skills, like a forklift license? It’ll be clear from the listing what’s required, and you’ll know that you’ve got a leg up on someone who may need training. (Don’t have a certification like that? Don’t worry. Temp job boards frequently list roles that require no prior training or even experience.

 

You’ll apply through the staffing agency like a regular job, which includes sending your resume over.

To make your resume stand out, make sure you stick to these tips:

 

  • List any special skills or certifications early. They’ll make you a more competitive candidate.
  • Make sure you mention the exact responsibilities you carried out at your last seasonal jobs. If you have direct harvest season experience, call that out. 
  • Dedicate space to your ability to learn on the job.
  • Emphasize your dedication to maintaining safety standards — and mean it! This is absolutely critical in any agriculture job, and the grape harvest is no different.

 

From there, the agency will do a preliminary screening.

You’ll meet with a representative of the agency, who will ask you questions about your work history, your desired field, compensation, and more. Depending on the employer, the staffing agency may also run a background check or require a drug screen. 

 

If the agency thinks you’re a fit for the role, they’ll move you along in the process.

This part may include an interview with the supervisory at the winery or vineyard, but sometimes, the agency makes the call, and you don’t meet with the employer first. And if all goes well, they’ll make you an offer!

The offer will be time-limited (and will align with the harvest) and have set pay based on an hourly rate. 

 

With a job secured, you’ll receive your onboarding and pay through the agency.

In most cases, the staffing agency is your employer, not the winery or vineyard. They’ll handle your HR concerns, training, hours, and compensation. And when the season ends, you’ll stay in the staffing agency’s system, and you can continue applying for jobs that they list.

 

No matter what role you’re looking for during the California grape season, a staffing agency is the most efficient way to nab a temp job. So polish off your resume, dust off your interview skills, and get applying!