Greenhouse Laborers

Job description

Perform manual labor to transplant vegetable plants, flower plants and herbs within an assembly line. Operate machinery, equipment and vehicles. Prepare soil and growth media. Dig, rake, and screen soil, and fill cold frames and hot beds to prepare them for planting. Cut and transplant seedlings and cuttings. Clean work areas, sanitize, and maintain grounds, greenhouses, warehouse, and landscaping. Perform nursery sanitation duties including picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and sweeping floors. Work is very fast paced during the busy season. Haul and spread fill-sand to maintain greenhouse floors using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels. Maintain and repair sprinkler system in and outside of greenhouses. Feel plants' leaves and note coloring to detect presence of insects or disease. Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality. Operate tractors to fertilize, cultivate or spray. Operate forklifts. May repair and maintain nursery buildings. Push and pull carts. Work within an assembly line. Tag trays. Work on a seedling line. Sit down seed flats and get up seed flats for delivery. Fold and staple corrugated forms to make boxes used for packing horticultural products. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive transportation vehicles to transport 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 agricultural work experience required. Walk, sit, stand on concrete or other surfaces, push and pull carts, bend, stoop, and crouch for long periods of time. Use of repetitive hand and finger movement. Work in inclement weather. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lbs. Employer is a Drug Free Workplace. Drug and alcohol testing may be conducted post-offer at the employers expense and is not part of the interview process. Must be 18 or older.