Nursery Workers

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Nursery work: woody ornamentals, trees, groundcover, perennials, fruit and vegetable plants.
Plant, cultivate, prune, grade, and harvest woody ornamentals, trees, groundcover, perennials, fruit and vegetable plants by hand or machine. Operate, clean, repair and maintain nursery vehicles, equipment and implements. Use gardening tools including hammers, trimmers, power shears, pruning shears, shears, ladders, shovels, rakes, staplers, and assorted hand tools to perform nursery activities. Scout and prepare planting areas by removing weeds, old/dead plants, debris, sticks and rocks. Lay plastic, measure planting areas, and insert stakes and string for spacing. Mix potting soil and fill trays. Plant seeds and cuttings into pots and trays. Stack, rack, move, space and jam nursery commodities. Label pots or hang labels on plants. Workers must keep pace while transplanting within an assembly line on a conveyor belt. Place plants and/or pots onto or take off of moving line. Using order forms or according to supervisor's instructions workers will select, harvest, prepare and load plants for shipping. Inform supervisors of the presence of insects, disease or quality concerns. Must assure accurate identification and count of plants when pulling orders to load onto delivery trucks. Accurately complete checklist when pulling orders. Jam plants, gently spread cloth over plants and anchor edges of cloth to implement freeze protection. Work with other workers to cover greenhouses. Count and check pots, plants and materials. Load and unload nursery commodities, tools and materials. Workers must use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants and may only hold them by the container. Drive farm vehicles, operating a loader, forklift, tractor, pulling wagons and other nursery equipment. Water plants, spread fertilizers and apply pesticides and herbicides. Clean, maintain, repair and install irrigation. Repair nursery facilities. Clean and maintain grounds and facilities including weeding, picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and sweeping floors. As a minor activity, workers may harvest and grade fruits and vegetables from the fruit and vegetable bearing plants. Follow food safety and sanitary guidelines when harvesting fruit and vegetables.

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 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

One month of verifiable nursery work experience required. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lb. bags of fertilizer or potted plants. Walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time. Bend and reach repeatedly. Work in extremely hot, cold and/or rainy weather. Climb ladders 6 ft. tall when covering greenhouses. Employer is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-accident at the employer's expense.