Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Annuals, Misc. Vegetables.
Crops: Ornamentals and Vegetables, including, but not limited to, tomatoes, squash, peas, and okra.

Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the production of greenhouse plants and other horticultural products. Plant, cultivate, and maintain nursery stock, trees, shrubs, bedding plants, plugs, liners, hanging baskets, and other horticultural varieties. Propagate plants from cuttings. Plant/pot seedlings, fill and label trays, move product to/from greenhouses and/or loading/unloading areas. Crimp wire baskets. Attach hangers to baskets and hang throughout holding houses. Move containerized plants using rolling/electric carts and forklifts. Unload/load trucks and product from conveyor belt. Install/remove plastic coverings. Clean/maintain work area..

Plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables. Use hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, hoes and knives. Plant roots, seeds and bulbs. Spread plastic or other groundcovering. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Till soil. Weed and thin plants. Transplant plants by hand. Stake/tie plants, trellis/prune plants, and set poles and wires for vine plants. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops. Tie vegetables in bunches. Grade, size and field pack product. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants.

Prune, trim, and perform other general plant maintenance. Water or irrigate plants, and apply fertilizer or other chemicals. Maintain irrigation systems. Tie/position plants by tying or wrapping as necessary. Wrap plants with burlap and other coverings as necessary. Count, inventory, and grade plants and trees. Pack, label, tag, pull, sort, and store plants by variety.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with minor greenhouse building maintenance and repairs. Repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.
Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements.
Employer-paid drug testing is required after a worker has an accident at work.
Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience working in a wholesale nursery or greenhouse, handling associated tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Perform prolonged bending, reaching, heavy lifting, carrying and loading up to 60 lbs. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.Employer-paid drug testing required after a worker has an accident at work. Work is outside in inclement weather conditions including extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather.