Horticultural Worker (45-2092.00)

Job description

Crops include Hydrangeas, Zygocactus, Pointsettas, Garden Mums, and mixed Annuals.
Primary Responsivities: Under supervision, assist various departments in ensuring effective production of quality products in an efficient and productive manner.

Workers will follow instructions to:
• Planting of Crops
• Harvesting of crops
• Crop Maintenance (disbudding, pinching, cultivate, irrigate, fertilize and spray)
• Field Work when needed
• Quality inspection of products.
• Ensure proper movement of product and supplies in the facility (assigned area)
• Prepare and pack product for shipment.
• Move/space/sort product as instructed/required
• “Break down” trucks, stock product neatly and carefully into the Fresh Cut/Warehouse department coolers.
• Bring product out to the “floor” to keep production moving steady.
• Work/Move product in the various areas
• Wrap Product and load boxes onto skids to prepare for shipment.
• General Maintenance and repair
• Assist in all areas of production as needed
• Maintain a safe work environment.
• Follow direction given from all Supervisors/Lead Hands/Lead Hand Assistants.
• Abide by company policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the business

GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL CROPS: Fieldwork begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work is performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 100 (+) degrees to 35 degrees F. Workers will work on their feet in bent, stooped, and crouched positions for long periods of time. Workers will make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists. Workers must be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs. Workers will use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects, such as trees or potted plants. These could/will weigh 50 lbs. Workers will supply their own work clothes. All the tasks in this Job 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. Workers may be required to perform work on the farm that is incidental to farming the crops listed in the application, such as performing hand cultivation tasks, weeding, or hoeing, cleaning, and repairing farm buildings, seed beds, racks, or grounds, operate tractor/farm equipment, incidental crop set up, move irrigation pipes and equipment, gardening, weeding and shrubbing, etc. All other duties assigned under this order will be those duties of Horticulture Workers, SOC code 45-2092.01. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.
The employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able to but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product.
During certain duties, workers may be required to work in teams to accomplish a certain task. When engaged in teamwork activities workers must coordinate with other members of the team to accomplish the task.
Full Crop Commitment: This is regular work, seven hours per day, Monday-Friday, and five hours on Saturday, for the full remainder of the period of employment. The worker agrees to work for assigned employer(s) whenever work is available during the full remaining period of employment even though work may be slack at times. The worker understands that if the worker quits or is terminated for cause prior to the end of the period of employment, the worker will not receive the 3/4 guarantees and will not receive certain transportation reimbursements. Excessive tardiness and/or absences will not be tolerated and will result in termination.

Special Requirements

Must have three months experience working in agriculture/horticulture. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. 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.