Nursery Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Nursery plant products that include trees, shrubs, palms, annuals and perennials.
All Tasks in this job order description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer. Instruction and overall supervision and direction of workers will be provided by a Team Leader / Supervisor. Employees must perform the assigned work, and may not perform duties not included herein or work in areas not assigned without the specific authorization of the Team Leader / Supervisor. Workers must communicate potential problems to immediate Team Leader / Supervisor for resolution and keep Team Leader / Supervisor informed of issues and challenges. Workers hired pursuant to labor certification must be able to comprehend and follow instructions of a Team Leader/Supervisor and communicate effectively. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers will be expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision.

SMALL CONTAINER SHIFTING:
Workers will perform manual and/or machine tasks associated with the planting of small container nursery products. Tasks include some combination of the following: fill containers or trays with soil; consolidate and/or dump plant material in sections to allow space for new plantings; repair and/or replace ground cover, repair washouts; remove, replace and/or repair holding systems; remove debris and weeds from planting areas, assemble containers. Root prune and plant ‘liners’ into containers in the field or at the potting machine using hands and hand tools. Follow root pruning techniques, identifying defective roots and making corrective prunes. Label containers with lot identification tags. Load and unload containers onto potting machines, trailers, and into sections.

SMALL CONTAINER TREE MAINTENANCE:
Workers will perform manual and/or machine tasks associated with the cultivation of small container nursery products. Tasks include some combination of the following: pruning using hand tools and gas/battery powered equipment, staking plants, tying plants by hand and/or with hand tools; applying top dress fertilizer to containers; removing weeds, leaf litter and debris.

LARGE CONTAINER SHIFTING:
Consolidate and/or dump plant material in sections to allow space for new plantings. Install and/or repair holding systems, irrigation lines and irrigation emitters. Assemble airpots, install growbags, and set containers for new shifts. Root prune and pot plants into larger containers using hand tools, mechanized tools, machinery and tractors. Lift, set and straighten plants into holding systems and/or section by hand and/or with mechanized equipment. Apply fertilizer and water to newly potted plants. Load/unload plants onto trailers. Operate earth-moving equipment.

LARGE CONTAINER TREE MAINTENANCE:
Workers will perform manual and/or machine tasks associated with the cultivation and maintenance of large container nursery products. Tasks include some combination of the following: pruning using hand tools and gas/battery powered equipment (such as hedge trimmers, backpack blowers, chainsaws and pole saws), removal of new growth/suckers, staking and tying nursery stock; applying top dress and dibble sub-dress fertilizer to containers; removing weeds, leaf litter and debris. Check and adjust collars of nursery products and secure stock to holding systems. Operate earth-moving equipment, tractors and articulating/telescopic boom lifts. Conduct proper pruning techniques based on species tree type and Florida Grades and Standards requirements to yield the best nursery products. Maintain all equipment and tools in working and clean order. Sanitize equipment routinely to avoid the spread of nursery product pests and diseases.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of one month of prior experience working in a nursery or tree farm, in cultivation/harvesting and/or installation of commercial plant material, handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. 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. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required. Employer-paid post-hire background check required.