Nursery Workers

Job description

Nursery work: woody ornamentals, trees, groundcover, perennials, fruit and vegetable plants.
Plant, cultivate, prune, grade, and harvest woody ornamentals, trees, groundcover, perennials, fruit and vegetable plants by hand or machine. Operate, clean, repair and maintain nursery vehicles, equipment and implements. Use gardening tools including hammers, trimmers, power shears, pruning shears, shears, ladders, shovels, rakes, staplers, and assorted hand tools to perform nursery activities. Scout and prepare planting areas by removing weeds, old/dead plants, debris, sticks and rocks. Lay plastic, measure planting areas, and insert stakes and string for spacing. Mix potting soil and fill trays. Plant seeds and cuttings into pots and trays. Stack, rack, move, space and jam nursery commodities. Label pots or hang labels on plants. Workers must keep pace while transplanting within an assembly line on a conveyor belt. Place plants and/or pots onto or take off of moving line. Using order forms or according to supervisor’s instructions workers will select, harvest, prepare and load plants for shipping. Inform supervisors of the presence of insects, disease or quality concerns. Must assure accurate identification and count of plants when pulling orders to load onto delivery trucks. Accurately complete checklist when pulling orders. Jam plants, gently spread cloth over plants and anchor edges of cloth to implement freeze protection. Work with other workers to cover greenhouses. Count and check pots, plants and materials. Load and unload nursery commodities, tools and materials. Workers must use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants and may only hold them by the container. Drive farm vehicles, operating a loader, forklift, tractor, pulling wagons and other nursery equipment. Water plants, spread fertilizers and apply pesticides and herbicides. Clean, maintain, repair and install irrigation. Repair nursery facilities. Clean and maintain grounds and facilities including weeding, picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and sweeping floors. As a minor activity, workers may harvest and grade fruits and vegetables from the fruit and vegetable bearing plants. Follow food safety and sanitary guidelines when harvesting fruit and vegetables.

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. 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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

Reasonable Expectations:

All workers are subject to qualitative performance evaluation relative to employer’s reasonable expectations. In assessing worker performance, employer evaluates whether the worker: (1) adequately complies with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures disclosed to worker; (2) complies with all health and safety guidelines, including proper use of tools or equipment according to operating instructions and best practices designed to protect employer’s property, crops, and avoid injury or damage; (3) treats company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.) with care and respect, avoiding damage or improper cleanliness or maintenance standards;

Special Requirements

Lift, carry and load up to 50 lb. bags of fertilizer or potted plants. Walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time. Bend and reach repeatedly. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or rainy weather. Climb ladders 6 ft. tall when covering greenhouses. Employer is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-accident at the employer's expense.
One month of verifiable nursery work experience required. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lb. bags of fertilizer or potted plants. Walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time. Bend and reach repeatedly. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or rainy weather. Climb ladders 6 ft. tall when covering greenhouses. Employer is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-accident at the employer's expense.
The employer may, at its discretion, promulgate additional written Work Rules, Housing Policies, and other reasonable policies governing behavior in the workplace and on employers property.