Nursery Workers

Job description

Workers will plant, transplant, cultivate, harvest, pot and label nursery stock plants for wholesale and retail. Operate nursery vehicles, equipment and machinery. Workers will transplant, harvest, pot and label container grown shrubs, woody ornamentals, grasses, trees, flowering perennials, and annuals in the field and greenhouse for wholesale and retail. Use hand and gardening tools to plant, weed, cut, thin, shape and fertilize shrubs. Operate nursery vehicles, equipment and machinery, and perform maintenance. Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees; wrap their roots; sleeve plants. Prepare soil and growth media for planting, including hauling and spreading topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss and other materials to condition soil using wheel barrows or carts and shovels. Pull orders in accordance with specifications; load and unload plants and materials onto trucks, trailers and into vehicles. Clean work areas and maintain grounds. Apply pesticides and herbicides. Workers may transport other workers and may be offered additional hours.

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 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. Employer may terminate a worker for lawful job-related reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the worker: (1) Is repeatedly absent or tardy; (2) malingers or otherwise refuses, without cause, to perform the work as directed; (3) commits act(s) of misconduct or repeatedly violates the Work Rules; and/or (4) fails, after completing the two day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer’s recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

Three months of nursery work experience required. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs; repetitively walk, stoop, bend, reach, push/pull, and kneel for long periods of time and work in extremely hot, cold, and/or wet weather. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Drug, alcohol and COVID-19 testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.