Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Paulownia Trees and Blueberry Plants.
Transplant, prune, thin and cultivate Paulownia trees using hand tools and farm equipment. Load and unload trees, pots, stakes, tools and equipment. Greenhouse work includes cultivate root clippings from Paulownia and blue berry plants, transplanting, setting up planting tables and plant seeds. Workers will transplant plantlets and seedlings from trays into larger pots in the greenhouse. Workers will maintain greenhouse plant guidelines of humidity control and watering when necessary. Use hand tools such as pruning shears, shears, pole pruners, ladders, shovels, hoes, rakes and tapener. Prepare and maintain fields, fence repair and farm maintenance, tree pruning, mowing utilizing mowers, tractors, skid steer with implements. Load potted plants onto trailers for planting. Workers will transplant bushes and trees by removing potted plants off of trailer that is moving down the row, digging a hole with shovel, placing tree in hole and covering with dirt using a shovel and hand water. After tree is planted, place empty pot back onto trailer. Use tapener to tape bamboo around tree to hold the tree in place in order for tree to grow straight. Walk fields carrying ladder down assigned rows to thin, prune and shape trees as instructed by supervisor. Workers have to be able to carry a 5 gallon bucket with water for initial plant irrigation. Limbs must not be torn from the tree, nor should limbs be completely stripped of leaves. Workers will transplant trees by removing trees from healing garden to field. Digging up existing planted trees and replant moving down the row, digging a hole with shovel, placing tree in hole and covering with dirt using a shovel. Install, clean, repair and maintain irrigation. Operate tractors and farm equipment and may operate farm vehicles and machinery when supplemental hand irrigation is necessary. Operate tractors and farm equipment utilizing various implements to prepare the land for planting. Clean and maintain work areas. Operate tractors and farm equipment and may operate farm vehicles and machinery while spraying for insects and weeds. Operate tractors and farm equipment to maintain paths and trails which involving activities, trimming vegetation, erosion control and transporting materials for erosion correction with the proper and safe use of hand tools. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive employer's transportation vehicles to transport workers on and off the farm and may be offered additional hours. 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 a paid lunch break.

TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable experience operating commercial agricultural equipment. Good health, strength, and endurance for outdoor physical labor. Work outside in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat. Walk, stand, sit, push, pull, bend and stoop repetitively. Lift and carry 5 gallon buckets of water weighing approximately 40 lbs. during initial plant irrigation. Use a stool or 10 ft. ladder to reach tree limbs, reach over head for extended periods of time while pruning trees. 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.