Horticultural Workers

Job description

Plant, cultivate and harvest field and container grown flowering, woody and ornamental plants, shrubs, trees and vegetable plants and maintain nursery field stock by hand and using garden tools. Transplant, pot and label at a fast pace within an assembly line. Spray, weed, fertilize, prune, shape and water plants, shrubs, and trees. Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs. Place baskets and burlap on the plants. Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease. Operate tractors, pole saws, weedeaters, chain saws, hand clippers, digging machines and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants. Count, check and inspect plants, trees, shrubs and bud ties to assess quality. Maintain, regulate and repair irrigation and climate control systems and or other equipment. Move and transport containerized shrubs, plants, and trees and planting materials including topsoil, fertilizer and peat moss using carts, wheelbarrows or tractors. Fill growing tanks with water. Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. Wrap roots and pack them into boxes to fill orders. Pull and load orders. Dig, rake, and screen soil. Fill cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting. Clean work areas. Maintain grounds and landscaping. Repair, or maintain nursery structures. As a minor activity, load hay bales onto trailers. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may make local deliveries of plants.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a 2 day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the 2 day introductory period if the worker's performance fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the 2 day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer's recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

One month of nursery work experience required. Most job duties require workers to work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Perform prolonged walking, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. and pushing and pulling up to 75 lbs. Work may require climbing 6 ft. ladders. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.