Nursery Workers

Job description

The nursery work position includes duties associated with the planting, cultivation, harvesting of various nursery plants. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 100 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team-based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase the various nursery products.

Crops Contained in Request: Nursery work.

Workers will perform shoveling, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks associated with the production of flowers, nursery stock and vegetables. Workers will install and maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Clear debris from field and clean/maintain farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas. May assist with building and or repairing greenhouse structure.

Workers will plant, cultivate and maintain nursery seedlings and plants, including perennials, bedding plants, plugs, liners, vegetable plants and hanging baskets in condition for shipping and sale to customers. Workers will move plants around the greenhouse and organize product on the docks for loading, pull and assemble orders in accordance with instruction. Attach hangers to baskets and hang throughout seasonal holding housing using ladders. Workers will use carts to load/unload trucks and product from conveyor belt. Prepare plants for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Dig plants. Drum lacing and quarter lacing. Wrap burlap or other covering around plants. Crimp wire baskets.

All employees must follow all quality control and safety measures while using personal protective equipment. The duties and responsibilities of workers may be revised verbally and/or in writing, as needed by the location manager and/or field supervisor. The workers must be able to speak and understand English. It is also preferred for workers to have a high school diploma or GED.

Full Crop Commitment
This is regular work, six hours per day, Monday-Saturday for the full remainder of the period of employment. The worker agrees to work for assigned employer(s) whenever work is available during the full remaining period of employment even though work may be slack at times. The worker understands that if the worker quits or is terminated for cause prior to the end of the period of employment, the worker will not receive the 3/4 guarantees and will not receive certain transportation reimbursements. Excessive tardiness and/or absences will not be tolerated and will result in termination. Person seeking employment as a farm laborer must be available for the entire period requested by the employer and possess 3 months experience hand harvesting produce. Successful applicants will be subject to a trial period of up to 2 days during which their performance of required tasks will be evaluated. If the performance is not acceptable to the employer in its sole discretion the worker will be terminated. All domestic and/or nonresident seasonal workers employed pursuant to this job order who satisfactorily completed the previous crop season may be compensated above the stated hourly wage rate. The decision to pay above the stated prevailing hourly rate will be made by the employer, at his sole discretion, and will be based on factors including the recipient’s performance and tenure. Employer retains the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer, or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but does not demonstrate the willingness to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium product. All terms and conditions in the job order will apply equally to all workers, domestic and foreign, employed under this job order.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience working in a greenhouse or nursery handling manual tasks associated with production of flowers, nursery stock and vegetables. Saturday work is required. Must be able to lift and carry 100 pounds. Employer may conduct drug/alcohol testing post-employment and at employers expense. Employer may conduct criminal background checks post-employment and at the employer's expense.