Nursery Workers

Job description

Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest a variety of sod such as bermuda, zoysia, centipede and celebration turfgrass and oak, apple, pear, plum, chestnut and cypress trees. Operate tractors, mowers and specialized agricultural equipment, such as a Brouwer sod harvester, to harvest and palletize sod. Lift, carry, load and stack sod and/or trees and plants onto pallets by hand or machine. Dig, rake and screen soil and fill cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting. Plant, weed, fertilize and water plants and trees using hand tools and gardening tools. Operate and perform minor maintenance on tractors, machinery and equipment. Fertilize, cultivate, harvest, mow, rake and disk fields. Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees and plants. Transplant, pot, and label harvested trees and/or plants. Lift, load, and move containerized plants and trees, using wheelbarrows and/or tractors. Clean work areas, maintain grounds and landscaping. Lift, load, haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss and other materials to condition soil using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels. Record information about plants and plant growth. Fill growing tanks with water. Tie and bunch plants and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders. Regulate greenhouse conditions and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems. Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems. Manual shovel work. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may 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.

If elected, six uniforms are provided at no cost to workers. If turned in timely, laundry services is available for company uniforms at no cost. Uniforms turned in after 7 AM on Thursday will be sent for cleaning the following week.

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

Special Requirements

Requires one month of mechanical sod harvester equipment operating experience. Perform prolonged sitting, bending, stooping, walking, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive lifting, carrying and loading up to 60 lbs., and work in inclement weather including extreme temperatures, high humidity and light rain. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Must be 18 years or older. Hazardous occupation.