Farmworker/laborer

Job description

NURSERY LABOR: Worker will perform tasks associated with field planted nursery stock. Worker will perform tasks to maintain varieties of ornamental trees and shrubs. Worker will prepare fields/soil for planting. Worker will use shovel to plant, transplant and harvest nursery stock. Worker will burlap, pin, rope, crimp, use wire baskets for tree production according to supervisor instructions.
Nursery Tasks Include:
1. Preparing tree blocks for planting. The worker will perform tasks of preparation the tree blocks by clearing the area in the field, removing debris, rocks and other trash. Worker will mark areas for tree plantings using tape measure and wooden stakes.
2. Tree block maintenance: The worker will maintain tree blocks by performing tasks such as mowing, weed-whipping, and applying fertilizers. Worker will perform tasks manually or with the use of equipment such as weed eaters, chainsaws and other farm equipment, as instructed by supervisor. Worker will apply fertilizer with applicators, as instructed by supervisor.
3. Unloading tree liners, burlap, baskets and other supplies. The worker will unload tree liners and other supplies manually or by using farm equipment such as tractors with buckets or forklifts, as instructed by supervisor. Worker will manually unload supplies from trailer onto a wagon.
4. Digging. The worker will remove planted ornamental trees/plants from field by digging by hand using a shovel or by other mechanical methods like tree spades, as instructed by supervisor.

TREE HARVEST: Worker will perform various duties to complete harvest of trees. Worker must exercise care at all times not to damage trees during harvest activities. Trees are harvested with a tree spade attachment on a skid-steer machine. Trees are place in a wire basked by the machine, and the worker burlaps, ropes and secures the tree in the basket. Worker will carry trees weighing up to 50lbs. Trees weighing over 50lbs will be moved in teams of 2 or more or mechanically. Trees will be loaded onto a wagon with a machine, and hauled to staging area to be shipped for final destination. Worker may safely drive tractor or other equipment to help complete tasks in the fields. Workers must exercise care not to break or damage limbs of trees when working around and handling trees.
LOADING/UNLOADING TREES: The worker will prepare the ornamental trees for delivery. The worker will collect, load and unload the trees manually and by using farm equipment such as tractors, skid-steer or other equipment. The worker will make sure to exercise care when handling the trees. Using a skid-steer a worker will load the trees on the wagon while a worker in the wagon will grab the tree and carefully will lay down in the wagon.
GENERAL FARM/FIELD MAINTENANCE: The worker will pull weeds by hand, cut grass using hand tools, gas powered equipment or mower and perform other clean up tasks such as picking up rocks, brush, wire and garbage.
SCRAPING OLD/MATURE TREES: The worker will use chainsaws to cut down and remove overgrown trees. Worker will remove the trees and branches from the area using skid-steer.
PRUNING/STAKING: The worker will train, straighten, stake trees, and prune trees using hand pruners and loppers. Worker will prune limbs and other parts from trees to control growth, increase limb density, and improve shape as directed by supervisor.

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in care, maintenance, and production of ornamental trees.
Drug testing not utilized as pre-employment tool. See work rules for more information regarding post employment drug testing.
Experience Requirement 3 verifiable months of commercial agriculture, experience required. Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the last 5 years establishing acceptable prior experience.