Sod Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
sod.
This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience, preferably working on a sod farm, handling both manual and mechanized tasks including field crop production and harvesting activities associated with production of sod. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. All workers will be subject to a trial period of up to five days during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency.

Work in fields. Prepares soil/growth medium. Hauls and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, lime and other soil conditions on sod grass and turf areas. Dig, rake, and screen soil. Sow grass seed and plants sod plugs. Unroll and place sod. Cut, roll and stack sod. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Prepare fields/soil for planting. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Use power equipment including but not limited to: tractors, skid loaders, sod cutters. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

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.

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.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may perform duties including boxing, weighing, loading/unloading, and installation of sod produced by Briggs Traditional Turf Farm at various locations. Workers may assist in loading/unloading of trucks and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Rolls of sod may weigh up to 75 pounds plus or minus depending on moisture content. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 10 to over 100 F. 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. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs.

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. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.

Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience, preferably working on a sod farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks including field crop production and harvesting activities associated with production of sod. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. All workers will be subject to a trial period of up to five days during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use and after a worker has an accident at work. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs.