Nursery Workers

Job description

Perform manual labor to pot, cultivate, space and continuously move container and field grown shrubs and trees using hand, garden tools and/or equipment. Space and prepare planting areas, greenhouses and fields. Weed, fertilize, prune and shape shrubs and trees by hand. Apply fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, load and move materials and containerized plants. Cut and transplant cuttings, trees and shrubs. Handle mulch, haul and spread soil, fertilizer and other materials to condition soil using carts, shovels, wheelbarrows and tractors. Regulate, maintain and repair greenhouse conditions. Plants will be located, identified, selected and loaded onto wagons, racks and trucks. Workers may label and tag plants while loading them. Winter protection activities will be performed including moving and uncovering plants and removing plastic from shelters. Inform supervisors of the presence of insects, disease or quality concerns. Maintain inventory ordering material as required. Clean and maintain equipment and facilities. Perform maintenance to fences. Select, prepare and load shrubs and trees for shipping. Workers will be required to work in a safe manner and participate in safety training and practices. Workers will use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants and must always lift by the container. As a minor activity, tend to livestock. Using the employer's vehicles, licensed drivers may transport 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. 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 of verifiable nursery work experience required. Perform extensive lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. /150 lbs. (two person lift), walking, standing, bending, stooping and climbing ladders. Work requires physical stamina and often requires working in adverse weather including extreme heat, cold and/or rain.