Christmas Tree Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Christmas trees, hay, straw and pumpkins; cattle, horses.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):
Workers will perform heavy manual field work including but not limited to planting, cultivating, harvesting/cutting and baling Christmas trees on a tree farm. Selects trees for cutting according to markings or size, species and grade and fells trees using axe or chain saw. Drags cut trees from cutting area, runs trees through tree baler. Workers will take inventory and grade trees, prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Hand dig trees (with shovel), or assist in digging with tree spade. Lift, carry and load trees onto trucks for transport. May drive pickup trucks or tractors to transport trees from the field to central loading area. Unload, move or load trees, nursery stock and/or supplies.

Prepare fields for planting by removing cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines and other growth from planting area using tractor, mattocks, brush hooks and/or axes. Plant seedlings or ‘liners' by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter) using mattock or dibble. Straighten, tie, prune and hand-shear tops and limb tips from Christmas trees, as specified by supervisor, to control growth, increase limb density and improve shape. Shearing evergreens must be performed with proper taper and angle of bud cut for quality. Cut, pull or remove and mow weeds or grass. Weeds are to be removed by the root and not at ground level. Move irrigation equipment; apply agricultural chemicals: herbicides and insecticides, and apply fertilizer. Must be familiar with tree pests and insects that affect evergreen trees crops.

Workers will operate tractors, mowing machines and balers to mow, cut and bale hay and straw. Workers will load and stack bales onto a moving trailer and reload/restack the bales for storage. Workers must be able to repeatedly bend, stoop and lift 30-60 pound bales throughout a workday. Workers will plant, cultivate, harvest and load pumpkins, and feed farm animals, as needed.

Work will also include heavy mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation power equipment may include power shears, trimmers, chain saws, mowers and tractors. Workers must be able to perform all duties of entry level workers as well as perform additional mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency.

Workers with appropriate licenses may operate general purpose vehicles to transport workers, equipment and product from one field location or facility to another. Workers may be required to do any other manual tasks involved in the harvesting of evergreen trees and the maintenance of tree nurseries and fields, and repair and maintenance of equipment.

Work is performed as a member of a crew under close supervision of a field supervisor. Instructions and general supervision will be provided by a designated lead worker or company supervisor. Field workers will be expected to perform their general duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

Workers must work outdoors in all weather in temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is considered heavy manual labor; to perform the job adequately workers must be able to lift 100 lb. trees over the course of a normal work day. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of verifiable prior experience working on a farm, preferibly Christmas tree farm, handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform all duties of entry level workers, as well as perform additional mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work.