Sod Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
sod.

Plant, cultivate, and harvest sod. Assist with ground preparation. Prepare soil/growth medium. Haul 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 plant sod plugs. Unroll and place sod. Cut, roll and stack sod. Load/unload sod.

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

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. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. 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. 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.

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 Blue Cedar Farms, LLC at various locations. 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. Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations such as but not limited to Driving While Intoxicated or Reckless Driving) and able to obtain an insurable driver's license may drive company vehicles. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may transport other workers.
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 proficient manner without close supervision.

Saturday work may be required, if necessary. Regular work hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday work required when necessary due to missed work Monday-Friday as a result of rain, weather conditions, work-load, customer-demand, etc.

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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural field work experience working in a sod farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks including agricultural field work and harvesting activities associated with production of sod. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Some Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.