Nursery Workers

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
diversified ornamental plants.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):
Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the greenhouse and outdoor production of horticultural products. Plant, cultivate, and maintain bedding plants, plugs, liners, and other horticultural varieties. Prepare fields/soil for planting. Remove shrubs and weeds from planting area using hand tools or mechanized equipment (rakes, shovels, hoes. Plant/pot seedlings or ‘liners' by hand or mechanical planter. Propagate plants from cuttings.
Perform general plant maintenance. Irrigate and apply fertilizer or other chemicals. Prune and trim plants to ensure availability of marketable products. Count, inventory, and grade plants. Select plants for harvest and sale. Set, space, and harvest plants. Pack, label, tag, pull, sort, and store plants by variety. Assist in picking, tagging and tying of plants. Clean/maintain work area.

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

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operators, 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. Workers will be expected to safely use ladders and pallet jacks.

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 farm building/field maintenance and repairs including assembly of benching. Repair fences.

Workers will be expected to use leaf blowers for cleaning of greenhouse and field areas, dispose of debris including sweeping, cleaning and waste disposal. Workers will be expected to dispose of dead plants.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable footwear. Workers wearing inappropriate clothing 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 greenhouse and fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.

Workers must be able to push and pull carts, bend to the ground to pick, lift, and carry plant trays, drag and grasp a hose, and lift 15 pounds above their heads to hang hanging baskets. Must be able to climb ladders, walk and stand throughout the day. Employees must be able to work outdoors in typical New York weather from March- October and in greenhouses with high heat and humidity. Must be able to tolerate exposure to water, dirt, and plant pollen while caring for plants. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. 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. Workers will be expected to handle hanging baskets that require lifting over their head.

Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and 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 2 months of agricultural field work experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Employer may ask workers to work Saturday and Sundays on a voluntary basis. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs.