Nursery Workers

Job description

Plant, transplant, cultivate and harvest nursery plants, trees and shrubs using hand garden tools and equipment and pull plants to fill orders. Plants will be located, identified, selected, unloaded and loaded onto wagons, racks and trucks. Workers may label and tag plants while loading them. Winter protection activities will be performed including moving, uncovering plants and removing plastic from shelters. Operate and maintain nursery equipment, vehicles and hand tools. Move containerized shrubs, plants and trees using tractors. Participate in propagation, potting or transfer of plants, applying non-restricted pesticides and herbicides, pulling and selecting plants for sales orders, watering and other nursery functions. Space plants in field. Inspect plants to assess quality. Use extreme care while handling plants so no harm is caused to the plants. Maintain clean work areas, free of safety hazards and perform nursery sanitation duties including picking up trash. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours. Work in a safe manner and participate in safety training and practices.

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. Regardless of whether the employer requires a background check as a condition of employment, the employer may terminate for cause, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, any worker found during the period of employment to have a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender that the employer reasonably believes will endanger the safety or welfare of other workers, company staff, customers, or the public at large.

Special Requirements

Three months of nursery experience required. Perform prolonged standing, walking, climbing and lifting up to 50 lbs. repeatedly. Requires the flexibility to bend at the waist and knees repeatedly. Workers must climb 12 ft. ladders. Work is outside in adverse weather conditions. Physical stamina required. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Negative results are required before starting work.