Nursery Workers

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Nursery work: woody ornamental, shrubs, perennials and trees.
Perform manual labor to pot, cultivate, space and continuously move container and field grown shrubs and trees using hand, garden tools and/or equipment. Space and prepare planting areas, greenhouses and fields. Weed, fertilize, prune and shape shrubs and trees by hand. Apply fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, load and move materials and containerized plants. Cut and transplant cuttings, trees and shrubs. Handle mulch, haul and spread soil, fertilizer and other materials to condition soil using carts, shovels, wheelbarrows and tractors. Regulate, maintain and repair greenhouse conditions. Plants will be located, identified, selected and loaded onto wagons, racks and trucks. Workers may label and tag plants while loading them. Winter protection activities will be performed including moving and uncovering plants and removing plastic from shelters. Inform supervisors of the presence of insects, disease or quality concerns. Maintain inventory ordering material as required. Clean and maintain equipment and facilities. Perform maintenance to fences. Select, prepare and load shrubs and trees for shipping. Workers will be required to work in a safe manner and participate in safety training and practices. Workers will use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants and must always lift by the container. As a minor activity, tend to livestock.

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.

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. In assessing whether workers' performance meets reasonable expectations, employer evaluates, among other reasonable criteria, whether the worker: (1) has adequately complied with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures; (2) has complied with all health and safety guidelines, including the use of tools or equipment in accordance with best practices to protect the employer's property, crops, and in a manner that avoids injury or damage; (3) has treated company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.

Special Requirements

One month of verifiable nursery work experience required. Perform extensive lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. /150 lbs. (two person lift), walking, standing, bending, stooping and climbing ladders. Work requires physical stamina and often requires working in adverse weather including extreme heat, cold and/or rain.