Nursery Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate, harvest, and select azaleas, shrubs, ground covers, perennials, and trees for seasonal orders. Load and unload trucks for delivery. Inspect trucks prior to delivery to ensure proper plants are loaded. Plant, spray, weed, prune, fertilize, and water plants, shrubs, and trees, using hand tools and gardening tools. Harvest, transplant, pot and label plants. Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease. Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants. Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality. Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs. Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees using wheelbarrows or tractors. Clean work areas and maintain grounds and landscaping. Prepare soil and growth media for planting. Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels. Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems. Record information about plants and plant growth. Experienced workers may oversee projects for the day and relay information to other workers. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers in vehicles provided and insured by the employer and 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. 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

Perform prolonged bending, reaching, heavy lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. Work is outside in inclement weather conditions including extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather.