Nursery Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
nursery stock, trees, shrubs.
This job requires a minimum of three months of verifiable prior experience working in a field grown woody ornamental (balled and burlap) nursery and tree production operation, using 50+ horsepower nursery equipment handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers will perform heavy mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation power equipment may include skid steers with attachments, power shears, sprayers, chain saws, high lift and fork lift, mowers, flat fillers, and wheel tractors. Workers will be expected to operate and maintain agricultural equipment with or without direction.

Take inventory and grade plants, prepare trees and shrubs for digging by tying or wrapping with twine as necessary; dig trees using shovels; wrap burlap or other covering around root balls and securing with twine and/or staples; crimping wire baskets with pig tail crimpers; lift, carry and load nursery stock in the field and to/from flat bed and/or refrigerated trailers; unload, move or load supplies, including wire baskets, plant materials, and tools. Prepare fields for planting by clearing cull stock, brush and debris; plant seedlings or ‘liners' by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter); dig, load, unload or transplant bare-root nursery stock; straighten, tie, shear and prune trees according to predetermined standards using hand tools such as saws, pruners, and hand snips; remove resulting brush from trees upon completion of pruning; rake/scatter resulting brush in the center of tractor/equipment rows for proper bundling/disposal; cut, pull or remove and mow weeds or grass; move irrigation equipment; apply agricultural chemicals: herbicides and insecticides and fertilizer; perform skills associated with the propagation of ornamental trees, including a process known as budding, whereby a single bud of desired selection is inserted into the bark of a compatible rootstock as close to ground level as possible.

Work is to be done for long periods of time. Workers are expected to perform duties including boxing, weighing and loading of product. Workers will assist in loading trucks with packaged product weighing up to and including 100 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet for long periods of time. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 10 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

In addition, workers may be required to perform variable tasks such as the following: irrigation, ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, weeding and other tasks related to nursery operation.

Employer assures that workers will be provided transportation from living quarters to work site every day (for workers who must be provided housing under the applicable regulations.)

Workers may not report for work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Except for moderate alcohol consumption in company housing during non-working hours, the possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol on Company property is prohibited and will be cause for termination.

The employer may discipline the worker, including brief suspension of work activities (“time out”) for a period determined by the supervisor, suspension from employment for a set period of days or termination of employment as described in the Work Rules.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of verifiable prior experience working in a field grown woody ornamental (balled and burlap) nursery and tree production operation, including specifically the operation of 50+ HP nursery equipment. Must be able to operate 50+ HP nursery equipment. Post-hire employer-paid drug testing required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 pounds.