Farm Worker

Job description

Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the outdoor production of horticultural products. Plant, cultivate and maintain nursery stock including shade trees, evergreens, ornamentals and other horticultural varieties. Prepare fields/soil for planting. Unload trucks that contain bare-root and container trees and plants. Plant/pot seedlings or ‘liners' by hand or mechanical planter. Use horticultural tape to tape bamboo around tree to hold the tree in place in order for tree to grow straight. Hand dig trees and other plants with shovel or tree spade. Work in groups when harvesting trees to wrap, strap and crimp basket onto root ball and use twine to wrap branches to prepare tree for shipment. Perform general plant maintenance. Train, stake, prune, thin, trim, shear, space, transplant and cull trees to ensure availability of marketable products. Shear trees with proper taper and bud cut angle for quality. Tie/position trees and plants by tying or wrapping as necessary. Count, inventory, and grade trees. Clean and maintain employer's grounds and facilities. Move, install, repair, maintain and operate irrigation equipment, systems and/or water lines/pipes. Apply fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Use hand tools including but not limited to saws, pruning shears, shears, pole pruners, ladders, shovels, hoes, rakes, loppers, and crimping tools. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. 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 nursery work experience required. Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements and frequent standing, sitting, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing/pulling, climbing ladders up to 9 ft. and lifting, carrying and loading up to 75 lbs. Post-accident drug testing required at the employer's expense.