Seasonal Nursery Worker

On-site seasonal position in Wooster, OH. Must be available for the entire contract period. Entry-level role requiring close supervision.

About the role

The Seasonal Nursery Worker is responsible for loading, delivering, and maintaining nursery merchandise, grounds, and fields using equipment such as loaders, bobcats, and forklifts. Work involves nursery trees, plants, shade, and ornamental trees.

Responsibilities

• Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials.
• Dig, rake, and screen soil; fill cold frames and hot beds to prepare for planting.
• Fill water and other tanks.
• Plant, spray, weed, and water plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Sow grass seed, plant plugs of sod, cut, roll, and stack sod.
• Prepare scion and tie buds to assist workers.
• Trap and poison pests such as moles, gophers, and mice.
• Plant shrubs and trees in containers; tie, bunch, wrap, and pack them to fill orders.
• Move containerized shrubs and trees; dig up and wrap roots with burlap.
• Fold and staple corrugated forms to make packing boxes.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, and work rules; react appropriately in emergencies.
• Report timely and accurately to supervisor.
• Prepare fields/soil for planting; remove cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines, and other growth.
• Plant, cultivate, and maintain nursery stock and/or bedding plants for shipping and sale.
• Pot seedlings or ‘liners’ by hand or mechanical planter; propagate plants from cuttings.
• Perform general plant maintenance: prune, trim, space, transplant, and cull plants.
• Irrigate, apply fertilizer, pack, label, tag, pull, and store plants by variety.
• Count, grade, and inventory plants; prepare plants for digging by tying or wrapping.
• Dig plants; perform drum lacing and quarter lacing; wrap burlap around root balls and secure with twine/staples; crimp wire baskets.
• Understand nursery quality control standards and production procedures; harvest crops according to standards and customer needs.
• Grade, size, and sort products by color, shape, size, appearance, feel, and quality; inspect for damage/defects and discard inferior products.
• Place products in bins/trays/containers and mark grades; weigh products and record weight/grade.
• Operate equipment safely; clean/sanitize work stations and equipment.

Requirements

• Work in the field for long periods, often in bent positions or on feet with repetitive movements and extensive walking.
• Handle products weighing up to 60 pounds and lift to a height of 5 feet.
• Work in outdoor conditions: wet plants (dew/rain), light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity, and extreme temperatures (10°F to over 100°F).
• Work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.
• Sufficient hand and finger dexterity to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Ability to differentiate colors, textures, and other product attributes to distinguish varieties and identify defects.
• Wear assigned personal protective equipment (PPE) and durable work clothing/boots; no shorts, bathing suits, or casual clothing.
• Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect job performance.
• Must be able to perform work with or without reasonable accommodations.

Pay

$14.38 per hour for seasonal work.

Background and Drug Testing

• All newly hired employees must pass an employer-paid background check and drug test after a job offer is accepted.
• Applicants with felony convictions (e.g., assault, child molestation, sex or drug-related) will be terminated immediately.
• Workers terminated for background check findings will arrange least-cost transportation to their place of recruitment at their own expense.
• Workers testing positive for drugs will be terminated immediately and must arrange least-cost transportation to their place of recruitment at their own expense.
• Drug testing may also occur after a workplace accident.
• Workers with a clean driving record (no major moving violations) and an insurable driver’s license may be required to drive company vehicles or transport other workers.