Nursery Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to cultivate and trim field grown and containerized trees and shrubs. Select, harvest, prepare and load plants for shipping. Operate, repair and maintain nursery equipment, machinery, and hand tools. Space and prepare planting areas, greenhouses and fields. Insert stakes and string for spacing. Transplant or pot, space, label and tag plants. Workers must keep pace while transplanting within an assembly line on a conveyor belt. Select, prepare and load shrubs and trees for shipping. Weed, fertilize, prune and shape shrubs and trees by hand. Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, load and move materials and containerized plants. Continuously move container field grown plants using hand garden tools and equipment. Place and space plants in growing areas, greenhouses, pads and fields. Plants will be located, identified, selected and loaded into wagons, racks and trucks. Maintain inventory ordering material as required. Operate, repair, manage, maintain and perform improvements to the farm property and the structures, irrigation, equipment, vehicles, machinery and hand tools on the farm. Apply bamboo and metal rods to ensure quality of plants. Using order forms or according to supervisor's instructions workers will select, harvest, prepare and load plants for shipping. Must assure accurate identification and count of plants when pulling orders to load onto trucks. Handle mulch, haul and spread soil, fertilizer and other materials to condition soil using carts, shovels, wheelbarrows and tractors. Load and unload plants, bushes, trees, tools, and materials. Clean and maintain containers, materials, supplies, and grounds. Workers will be required to work in a safe manner and participate in safety training and practices.

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. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. 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.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a 2 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 2 day 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 2 day introductory period, to perform work in a competent and skillful manner, consistent with the employer's reasonable expectations. Non-U.S. workers may be displaced as a result of one or more U.S. workers becoming available for the job during the employer's recruitment period. Job abandonment will be deemed to occur after five consecutive workdays of unexcused absences. Workers may not report for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Special Requirements

Work outside in extremely hot, cool and/or rainy weather. Lift, carry and load up to 40 lbs. Use a three-step stool. Walk, bend, and stand for prolonged periods of time. Push and pull carts loaded with plants and/or materials.