Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Nursery Plants.

Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the outdoor production of horticultural products. Plant, cultivate, and maintain nursery trees, shrubs, bedding plants, plugs, liners, and other horticultural varieties. Prepare fields for planting. Remove cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines and other growth from planting area using hand tools or mechanized equipment (rakes, shovels, brooms, blowers).. Plant/pot seedlings or ‘liners’ by hand or mechanical planter. Propagate plants from cuttings. Prepare trees for harvest by tying or wrapping as necessary. Lift trees and other plants by hand.

Perform general plant maintenance. Irrigate and apply fertilizer or other chemicals. Train, prune, trim, shear, space, transplant and cull plants to ensure availability of marketable products. Shear trees with proper shape and bud cut angle for quality. Stake and position trees and plants by tying or wrapping as necessary. Count, inventory, and grade plants.Count, inventory, and grade plants. Sort, pull, label, and pack plants by variety. Clean/maintain work area. . Clean/maintain work area.

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

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, 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.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. . Equipment may include tractors, mowers, sprayers, power shears, front-end loaders, forklifts, and trucks or other vehicles. Perform raking, sweeping, shoveling, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/greenhouse maintenance and repairs. Lay weed fabric and stake to the ground. Cover greenhouses with plastic and nail pinch boards in place.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate 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 fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. 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.
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 zero months of agricultural experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.