Nursery Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to cultivate and trim containerized plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses. Using order forms or according to supervisor's instructions workers will plant, select, harvest, prepare and load plants for shipping. Use hand tools including hammers, trimmers, power shears, pruning shears, shears, three-step stool, rakes, staplers, and assorted hand tools to perform nursery activities. Insert stakes and string for spacing. Stack, rack, move, space and jam nursery commodities. Label pots or hang labels on plants. Inform supervisors of the presence of insects, disease or quality concerns. Must assure accurate identification and count of plants when pulling orders to load onto delivery trucks. Accurately complete checklist when pulling orders. Jam plants, gently spread cloth over plants and anchor edges of cloth to implement freeze protection. Work with other workers to cover greenhouses. Count and check pots, plants and materials. Inspect orders on carts and shrink wrap carts. Load and unload nursery commodities, tools and materials. Workers must use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants and may only hold them by the container. Water plants and spread fertilizers. Apply herbicides to weeds. Stock supermarket (shipping dock) with plants. Build cannon and cc racks and assist in construction of nursery buildings and repair nursery facilities. Operate company equipment including but not limited to forklifts. Clean and maintain grounds and facilities including weeding, picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and sweeping floors. Workers may transport other 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.

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 may be required to start as early as 6:00am in August and September, due to hotter temperatures. Additional hours may be offered but will not be required.
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.

Special Requirements

One month of verifiable nursery work experience required. Work outside in extremely hot, cool and/or rainy weather. Lift, carry and load up to 50 lbs. Use a three-step stool. Walk, bend, and stand for prolonged periods of time. Perform repetitive movements. Push and pull carts loaded with plants and/or materials. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a drug and alcohol free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.