Nursery Worker
Employer: Deep Fork Tree Farm, LLC
Location: Arcadia, OK
Workers needed: 4
Pay: $11.88/hour
Season: Jan 6, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027
Experience: 2 months
Employer-provided housing; Transportation provided/reimbursed
The job
Crops/Commodities: trees.
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Workers performing tasks in each of the following specific areas will be required to maintain the quality and pace of work as directed by the Team Leader. The Production Manager (Team Leader) will provide instructions and general supervision to the worker(s). However, workers will be expected to perform their duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision.
Nursery work specifications can change from time to time during the season due to weather and market conditions. Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each day's work.
Pruning:
Responsible for pruning field grown plant material. Development of hand/eye coordination for pruning with hand shears, pole pruners and loppers is required. Work will require workers to climb ladders to perform tasks.
Planting:
Responsible for planting field grown plant material. Workers must be able to use a shovel and be able to physically perform the required task. Workers must be conscious of the importance of getting young trees from the holding facility to the field and planted expeditiously to maximize the tree survival and growth. Proper consideration must be made for the proper planting depth and planting procedures.
Staking:
Responsible for staking field grown plant material, which involves forcing a stake into the ground next to a tree and using staking tape to tape the tree to the stake to ensure proper growth. This will also include removal of stakes by use of pipe wrench or stake puller to loosen stake prior to removing by hand after period of time set forth by management.
Harvesting/Loading:
Responsible for harvesting field grown plant material. Workers will be responsible for developing a knowledge and understanding of appropriate harvesting supplies including baskets, burlap, nails, crimpers, proper strapping and their locations in order to harvest trees. Workers must be able to utilize the proper strapping methods for different root balls as well as be able to assist others if needed. Will also be required to assist in loading extracted plant material onto trucks for transport to distribution area.
Clearing:
Responsible for clearing fields in preparation for planting. Workers will be responsible for picking up root pieces, rocks, trees & other debris left behind after clearing and placing debris into a loader bucket or designated debris area on the field for removal or burning.
General Nursery Work:
Workers may be required to assist in the maintenance and possible reparation of greenhouses and other nursery structures as needed. In addition, workers may be required to perform variable tasks such as the following: irrigation, ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, weeding and other tasks related to a nursery operation.
Equipment:
Workers may be required to operate different types of equipment used in the tree farming process, including but not limited to: Skid Steers, Boom Lifts, Brownie Lifts, ZTR Mowers, Weed Eaters, Kawasaki Mules and chain saws as well as daily use field trucks and tractors. Workers will be expected to be able to operate agricultural equipment with or without direction.
Workers will assist in loading trucks with product weighing up to and including 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet for long periods of time. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 0 to 115 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Workers should be physically able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.
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. Workers responsible for securing inbound transportation arrangements. For non-local workers, employer reimburses reasonable travel costs (transportation, daily subsistence, and lodging if applicable), at least-cost economy-class rates, from the place worker departed to the employer’s place of employment.
Experience wanted: 2 months
This job requires a minimum of two months of previous experience working in a nursery handling both manual and machine tasks associated with balled and burlap tree production and harvest activities. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Work outside in field for long periods of time in inclement weather conditions. Work on feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Perform repetitive movements and extensive walking. Lift and carry up to 60 lbs. Lifting to a height of 5 feet for long periods of time. Climb ladders up to 8 ft. Post-hire, employer-paid drug testing required. Negative results are required not later than the date on which work commences.
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