Horticultural Worker (45-2092.00)

Job description

Worker must possess the physical strength and endurance (ability to continue or last) to repeat the harvest process though out the workday, working quickly and skillfully to perform activities assigned during that activity. Workers must work at a sustained (continuing for an extended period of time without interruption), vigorous pace (quick and steady) and make bona fide efforts (made in earnest intent) to work efficiently (performing or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) and consistently (same way for a long time) that are reasonable under the climatic and other working conditions, Workers may not leave trash, or other discarded items in work areas or vehicles but must dispose of such items in provided receptacles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. Allergies to varieties of ragweed, goldenrod, insecticides, related agricultural chemicals, etc., may affect worker’s ability to perform the work described herein.

Greenhouse/Nursery: Workers may perform any combination of the following duties concerned with preparing soil and growth media, cultivation, and otherwise participating in horticultural activities: haul, spread, dig, rake, and mix media to prepare the growing areas for production; cover and fill cold frames and greenhouses in preparation for planting; haul, plant, spray, weed, water, prune, trim, shape and space products; fertilize with granular or liquid fertilizer; tie, bunch, wrap, and pack trees and shrubs to fill orders and load onto trucks for marketing; in a greenhouse, or in an outdoor production area transplanting seedlings and liners into containers and place in growing area.

Bedding Plants: Workers will fill flats with potting soil in preparation for planting. Filled flats will be stacked for transport to planting area. Worker will then plant plugs or seedlings into flats as instructed by supervisor. Planted flats will be tagged with appropriate picture tags. Completed flats will be watered in by hand and placed in growing area for finishing.

Potted Plants/Hanging Baskets: Workers will fill pots/baskets with potting soil in preparation for planting. One or more transplants will be planted in each container as specified by supervisor. Completed containers will be watered and placed in growing area for finishing. Workers may be required to install hangers and tags on pots or baskets. Workers may be required to place watering tubes into containers to facilitate the irrigation process.

Flowering Trees and Shrubs: Workers will be working with flowering trees and shrubs. Workers will plant, cultivate, harvest, propagate, grade, store and ship container and field grown horticultural products. Harvesting crops may include grading and tagging. Some harvesting may require digging up products and placing on pallets. Grading is done by size. Products are measured, tied in bundles and placed in storage for shipment. Workers will harvest seed and/or take cuttings from trees and shrubs, place in containers pre-filled with growing media and transplant cuttings and seedlings to prepared areas.

Bare Root Products: Workers will handle a variety of bare root products. Workers will propagate, plant, cultivate, harvest and prepare products for shipment.

Nursery Work: Workers will be required to start all crops from seed. Seedlings will be grown in 10 x 20 trays filled with sand or dirt and kept in a controlled environment. When seedlings reach approximately 2 inches tall, and per supervisors; instruction, workers will transplant seedlings from tray into peat pots. When seedlings reach appropriate size, approximately 6 to 8 inches tall, workers will be required to transfer from peat pots to carious selling containers and transport to prepared fields for transplanting. When produce is ready for marketing workers will load onto trucks to be shipped to purchaser’s locations.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months experience working in a commercial nursery. Workers must possess an ability to recognize species and varieties of nursery stock, able to read and understand signs and labels, and to understand written and oral work orders. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.