Nursery Worker

Job description

Worker must possess the physical strength and endurance (ability to continue or last) to repeat the harvest process though out the workday, working quickly and skillfully to perform activities assigned during that activity. Workers must work at a sustained (continuing for an extended period of time without interruption), vigorous pace (quick and steady) and make bona fide efforts (made in earnest intent) to work efficiently (performing or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) and consistently (same way for a long time) that are reasonable under the climatic and other working conditions, Workers may not leave trash, or other discarded items in work areas or vehicles but must dispose of such items in provided receptacles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. Allergies to varieties of ragweed, goldenrod, insecticides, related agricultural chemicals, etc., may affect worker’s ability to perform the work described herein.

Workers will care, water, load, and unload employer’s nursery stock. Job duties will be sporadic all through the contract due to various plants and plant conditions. Duties will include pruning, cutting, deadheading, pinching, spacing plants, fertilizing with granular/liquid fertilizer, cleaning work areas, transporting plant materials, and loading and unloading plants by hand with pumps and hoses. Work is performed inside garden centers. Most areas are not completely sheltered, or climate controlled so stockers are exposed to head, cold and inclement weather. Skin and clothing are easily wet and soiled. Stockers much govern their work in a way that would not disturb, restrict, or endanger garden center customers.
Workers will be required to operate vehicles on public roadways during daily operations. Workers may be required to travel between garden centers. Workers must follow all safety and motor vehicle laws. Workers who failure to obey safety requirements and operating instructions may result in termination.

Greenhouse/Nursery: Workers may perform any combination of the following duties concerned with preparing soil and growth media, cultivation, and otherwise participating in horticultural activities: haul, spread, dig, rake, and mix media to prepare the growing areas for production; cover and fill cold frames and greenhouses in preparation for planting; haul, plant, spray, weed, water, prune, trim, shape and space products; fertilize with granular or liquid fertilizer; tie, bunch, wrap, and pack trees and shrubs to fill orders and load onto trucks for marketing; in a greenhouse, or in an outdoor production area transplanting seedlings and liners into containers and place in growing area.

General duties: Duties will be sporadic all through the contract due to various crops and crop conditions. Duties will/could include preparing soil, planting, pruning, cutting, deadheading, pinching, trimming to shape, spacing plants, fertilizing with granular or liquid fertilizer, cleaning work areas, transporting plant materials in the greenhouse areas, loading and unloading plants by hand with pumps and hoses and all other duties associated with a commercial greenhouse. Between harvesting, workers may be required to perform duties to prepare crops for marketing. Worker may unload and restock for storage.

Bedding Plants: Workers may fill flats with potting soil in preparation for planting. Filled flats will be stacked for transport to planting area. Worker will then plant plugs or seedlings into flats as instructed by supervisor. Planted flats will be tagged with appropriate picture tags. Completed flats will be watered in by hand and placed in growing area for finishing.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months verifiable experience working in agricultural/horticultural work. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Applicants must have a valid drivers license. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.