Nursery Worker
Employer: Overlook Harvesting Company, LLC - TN - Cottage Gardens
Location: Smithville, TN
Workers needed: 82
Pay: $13.15/hour
Season: Jan 26, 2027 – Oct 18, 2027
Experience: 2 months
Employer-provided housing; Transportation provided/reimbursed
The job
Crops/Commodities: trees.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays):
Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the outdoor production of horticultural products. Plant, cultivate, and maintain nursery stock, trees, shrubs, bedding plants, plugs, liners, and other horticultural varieties. Prepare fields/soil for planting. Remove cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines and other growth from planting area using hand tools or mechanized equipment (rakes, shovels, hoes, tractors, mattocks, brush hooks and/or axes). Plant/pot seedlings or ‘liners' by hand or mechanical planter. Propagate plants from cuttings. Prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Hand dig trees and other plants with shovel or tree spade.
Perform general plant maintenance. Irrigate and apply fertilizer or other chemicals. Train, prune, trim, shear, space, transplant and cull trees and/or plants 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. Select trees for cutting according to grade. Cut trees using axe or chainsaw. Drag cut trees from cutting area. Bale trees using tree baler. Wrap burlap or other covering around root balls and secure with twice and/or stapes.
Pack, label, tag, pull, sort, and store plants by variety and/or pursuant to supervisor instructions. Fill bins/trays and other containers with product, level bins, and prepare product for shipment to market or storage. Perform quality control on inbound/outbound loads. Follow quality control standards and production procedures. Handle product carefully to prevent damage. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Palletize and stack boxes/containers. Move product to storage areas and/or loading areas to prepare for shipping. Keep material and product records accurately. Assist with regular maintenance on equipment. Clean/sanitize work station and equipment.
Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.
Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.
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.
Canning Laborer:
Outdoor work is required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity, and extreme (hot) temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during inclement weather. Sensitivity to environmental allergens, honeybees, 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.
Job Duties: Operate Equipment according to safety guidelines. (Tractor & Forklift)
• Keep all equipment, tools, and supplies clean and in good working order.
• Communicate with team and other departments.
• Work efficiently.
• Team work environment.
• Maintain equipment to make sure it is in excellent working order at all times.
• Stage pots on canning machine for sizes needed.
• Unload plants from liner prep wagons to canning machine.
Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)
Meals: Employer does not provide meals. Employer-provided housing includes free and convenient kitchen facilities with appropriate equipment, appliances, cooking accessories, and dishwashing facilities for meal preparation. For workers residing in employer-provided housing, employer also provides free transportation once per week to/from closest town or city for personal errands (e.g., groceries, banking services). Dining, kitchen/cooking facilities and other common areas are shared by all workers. In the event that kitchen facilities become unavailable during the contract period, employer will provide three daily meals in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(g). In such circumstances, employer will deduct the cost of such meals up to the maximum allowable amount published in the Federal Register, or as otherwise approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Transport: Employer pays/reimburses foreign workers for all visa-related costs (excluding passport fees) in the first workweek. For non-local workers, employer arranges/provides inbound transportation via common carrier mode of transportation (e.g., bus or plane) and reimburses workers for daily subsistence and reasonable lodging costs, if applicable. Use of employer-offered transportation is voluntary.
Experience wanted: 2 months
This job requires a minimum of 2 months of agricultural experience handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 75 lbs. Employer-paid pre-employment and post-hire drug testing required. Criminal background check required.
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