Horticultural Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs or plants including ornamentals, perennials and fruits using hand garden tools and equipment. Spray, weed, fertilize, water, prune, shape, count and check plants, shrubs and trees. Transplant or pot, space, label and tag plants. Space and prepare planting areas, greenhouses and fields. Scout to detect the presence of insects or disease. Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, harvest, load materials and spray fields and plants. Inspect plants to assess quality. Cut and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees and shrubs. Move containerized shrubs, plants and trees using tractors. Clean work areas and maintain grounds and landscaping. Handle mulch, haul and spread soil, fertilizer and other materials to condition soil using carts, shovels, wheelbarrows and tractors. Record information about plants and plant growth. Regulate, maintain and repair greenhouse conditions and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems. Maintain inventory ordering material as required. Trap and destroy pests. Propagate plants from cuttings. Apply bamboo to ensure quality of plants. Clean and maintain equipment and facilities. Select and prepare plants for shipping. Assist and load plant orders and landscape materials for customers. Workers are also responsible for nursery sanitation duties including cleaning work areas, picking up trash and sweeping floors. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies.

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. Possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on company premises is prohibited and will be cause for immediate termination.

Special Requirements

One month verifiable wholesale nursery experience required. Most job duties require work in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Work requires climbing 8 ft. ladders when pruning tall trees and performing prolonged walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. Employer is a drug-free work place. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before beginning work.