Horticultural Worker (45-2092.00)

Work description

Plants, cultivates, and harvests horticultural specialties, such as perennials, annuals, bedding plants, and edibles. Duties are performed in an environmentally controlled structure, applying knowledge of environmental systems: Ascertains growing schedules and deviations from established procedures from grower. Sows seeds using seed sower. Will fill plant flat using flat filler and will fill pots using potting machine. Will insert plastic containers into filler machine and maintain proper operation of filler machine. Will also ensure proper operation of soil mixer. Will apply UPC stickers as needed. Will place various forms of plant into assigned containers. Will move planted containers from production line to transport carts arranged neatly. Will transport carts full of planted containers to greenhouse or field. Will unload planted containers from transport carts and return the carts to production area. Pollinates, prunes, transplants and pinches plants and culls flowers and plants to ensure development of marketable products. Harvests, packs, and stores crop using techniques appropriate for individual horticultural specialty. May maintain and environmental control systems. May mix planting soil following prescribed procedure. Will also be responsible for ensuring the quality of previous line operations. Will insert corresponding tags into each container. May maintain and repair structures using materials such as (but not limited to) corrugated fiberglass panels, lath, glass panes and putty and tools such as hammer, saw and putty knife. Will load and unload plant material. General greenhouse maintenance: Workers will make minor repairs to existing greenhouses and buildings. Workers may assist in greenhouse construction of new buildings, trash removal, debris removal, and grounds maintenance. Workers will assist with cleaning and maintaining greenhouses and greenhouse equipment. Vegetables: Workers will plant, cultivate, and harvest Vegetables. Workers will remove weeds by hand or with hoe. Workers will bend and stoop to pick crops according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity and place into field containers. Workers may carry full container weighing approximately fifty (50) lbs. and empty into field bin or load onto trailer. May be required to pull and discard culls as directed by supervisor. Pickers will take care not to bruise or scar produce. Pre-harvest activities may include staking, tying, transplanting, and pruning. Workers may be required to train vine plants. Workers may install and remove black plastic from at bedding areas. Workers will be working both outside and in high tunnels, and greenhouses Farm Equipment Operation: Workers may be required to operate tractors, forklifts, soil mixing, filling machinery, motorized tow carts, transport cars and other farm equipment during daily operations, as an incidental activity. Before any worker that is required to operate any farm equipment, workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the tractor before driving the tractor. All equipment should be operated or driven in a manner to protect operator, other workers, products, trees, crops, and equipment. Repeated failure to obey safety requirements and operating instructions may result in termination.