Nursery Workers

Job description

Work outside to plant bare roots and transplant trees, shrubs and plants into pots. Label pots and place in specified locations. Cultivate, weed, fertilize, water, spray herbicides and pesticides, prune, thin, shape and trim plants, shrubs and trees as directed. Select and prepare plants for shipping according to supervisor’s instructions. Use gardening tools and equipment including electric carts, trimmers, power shears, pruning shears, shears, pole pruners, ladders, shovels, hoes, rakes, loppers and assorted hand tools to perform nursery activities. Prepare fields by removing rocks and sticks placing them into buckets, trailers or constructing a pile. Workers must keep pace while planting within an assembly line on a conveyor belt. Place plants and/or pots onto or take off of moving line. Count and check plants, pots and materials. Load and unload plants, shrubs, trees, nursery tools and materials onto and off of trucks, trailers or into designated areas according to supervisor's instructions. Space plants and prepare planting areas. Move containerized shrubs, plants and trees by hand or using a wheelbarrow or tractor. Must assure accurate identification and count of plants when pulling orders to load onto delivery trucks. Walk nursery carrying ladder down 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. Clean plants by removing rotten leaves, weeds and debris. Assist in removing and disposing of bad plants. Dig irrigation ditches for new beds. Clean, maintain, repair and install irrigation. Install irrigation by laying drip tube and punching holes. Operate nursery vehicles and equipment including skid steer loader, forklift, and tractors and perform minor maintenance. Workers are also responsible for nursery sanitation duties including cleaning and maintaining work areas, and using mowers, weed eaters and edgers to maintain grounds and landscaping around buildings.

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. Optional uniforms are available at no cost to the workers.

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 should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a two day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Employer reserves the right to terminate a worker at the conclusion of the introductory period if the worker’s performance fails to satisfy the employer’s reasonable expectations, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Special Requirements

Work outside in adverse weather conditions on a black surface in extremely hot (100+ degrees), cold (5 degrees) and/or wet weather for extensive periods of time, walk and stand for up to 9 hours, bend and squat repeatedly, lift, push/pull, carry and load up to 90 lbs (two man lift), climb ladders up to 6 ft and reach over head for extended periods of time to trim, prune, thin and/or shape trees. Must be 18 or older.