Nursery and Greenhouse Worker

Work description

Crops/Commodities: Citrus trees. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the indoor production of horticultural products, with a focus on citrus. Plant, cultivate, and maintain nursery stock, trees, shrubs, bedding plants, plugs, liners, hanging baskets, greenhouse-grown specialty plants, and other horticultural varieties. Prepare soil for planting. Plant/propagate plants. Remove cull stock, debris, and other growth from planting area using hand tools or mechanized equipment (rakes, shovels, hoes, tractors, pallet jacks, clippers, loppers, and/or axes). Plant/pot seed, seedlings or ‘liners' by hand or mechanical planter, fill and label trays, and move product to/from greenhouses and loading/unloading areas. Hand dig trees and other plants with shovel or tree spade. Move containerized plants using rolling/electric carts. Install/remove plastic coverings. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Load/unload trucks and product from conveyor belt. Perform general plant maintenance. Train, prune, trim, shear, space, transplant and cull trees and/or plants to ensure availability of marketable products. Prune trees with proper shape and for quality. Tie/position trees and plants by tying or wrapping as necessary. Count, inventory, and grade trees. Select trees for shipping based on quality standards Pack, label, tag, pull, sort, and store plants by variety. Irrigate and apply fertilizer or other chemicals. Maintain irrigation systems. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Monitor greenhouse climate. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop condition, under close supervision and direction. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work. Work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures, work primarily performed indoors including warehouses, greenhouses and other on farm structures. Temperatures in greenhouses during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping. Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements. Use tractors and utility vehicles to complete tasks on employer property. Workers may utilize rights-of-way and public roads for access. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products, and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.