Nursery Workers

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Nursery work: large shade trees.
Perform manual labor to transplant, prune, thin and harvest large shade trees. Load and unload trees, pots, stakes, tools and equipment. Use hand tools such as pruning shears, shears, pole pruners, ladders, shovels, hoes, rakes, loppers, crimping tools and tapeners to transplant, prune, thin, and harvest large shade trees including, Acer-Maple, Betula-Birch, Metasquoia-Dawn, Parrotia-Parrot, Quercus-Oak, Taxodium-Bald Cypress, and Ulmus-Elm. Prepare fields by removing rocks and sticks placing them into buckets, trailers or constructing a pile. Load potted plants onto trailers for planting. Groups of workers will transplant 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. 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. Work in groups when harvesting trees to wrap, strap and crimp basket onto root ball and use twine to wrap branches to prepare tree for shipment. Walk nursery carrying ladder down assigned rows to thin, prune and shape trees as instructed by supervisor. Limbs must not be torn from the tree, nor should limbs be completely stripped of leaves. Scoop soil into pot from pile and place filled pot back onto trailer in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Install irrigation by laying drip tube and punching holes. Clean, repair and maintain irrigation. Clean and maintain work areas. As a minor activity, operate tractors and farm equipment and may operate nursery vehicles and machinery while spraying for insects and weeds.

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 is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing and background checks are conducted post offer at the employer's expense and are not part of the interview process. Negative drug test results are required before starting work. The employer will also test upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work.

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.

Special Requirements

Three months of verifiable wholesale nursery experience required. Work outside in inclement weather conditions including extremely hot, humid and/or wet weather for extensive periods of time; perform prolonged walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs; climb 6 ft. ladders and reach over head for extended periods of time. Employer is a drug-free workplace. Drug testing and background checks are conducted post offer at the employers expense and are not part of the interview process. Negative drug test results are required before starting work. The employer will also test upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work. The employer does not employ persons convicted of sex related, violent, or drug related crimes except under extremely limited circumstances. Individual circumstances will be taken into consideration at the request of the applicant.