Nursery Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
nursery stock, trees.
The Production Manager (Team Leader) will provide instructions and general supervision to the worker(s). Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

Nursery work specifications can change from time to time during the season due to weather and market conditions. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each day’s work.

Pruning:
Responsible for pruning field grown plant material. Development of hand/eye coordination for pruning with hand shears, pole pruners and loppers is required. Work will require workers to climb ladders to perform tasks. Must follow supervisor's instructions on pruning/shearing. Shear trees with proper taper and bud cut angle for quality.

Planting:
Responsible for planting field grown plant material. Workers must be able to use a shovel and be able to physically perform the required task. Plant, cultivate, harvest, cut and bale trees. Plant seedlings or ‘liners’ by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter) using mattock or dibble. Workers must be conscious of the importance of getting young trees from the holding facility to the field and planted expeditiously to maximize the tree survival and growth. Proper consideration must be made for the proper planting depth and planting procedures.

Staking:
Responsible for staking field grown plant material, which involves forcing a stake into the ground next to a tree and using staking tape to tape the tree to the stake to ensure proper growth. This will also include removal of stakes by use of pipe wrench or stake puller to loosen stake prior to removing by hand after period of time set forth by management.

Harvesting/Loading:
Responsible for harvesting field grown plant material. Prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Hand dig trees with shovel or tree spade. Selects trees for cutting according to markings, size, species and grade. Cut trees using axe or chain saw. Workers will be responsible for developing a knowledge and understanding of appropriate harvesting supplies including baskets, burlap, nails, crimpers, proper strapping and their locations in order to harvest trees. Workers must be able to utilize the proper strapping methods for different root balls as well as be able to assist others if needed. Drag cut trees from cutting area. Runs trees through tree baler. Inventory and grade trees. Will also be required to assist in loading extracted plant material onto trucks for transport to distribution area and customers. Products must be handled carefully to prevent damage.

Clearing:
Responsible for clearing fields in preparation for planting. Workers will be responsible for picking up root pieces, rocks, trees & other debris left behind after clearing and placing debris into a loader bucket or designated debris area on the field for removal or burning.

General Nursery Work:
Workers may be required to assist in the maintenance and possible repair of greenhouses and other nursery structures as needed. In addition, workers may be required to perform variable tasks such as the following: irrigation, ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, weeding and other tasks related to a nursery operation. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience, preferably on a tree farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.