ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform plant care duties and be able to assist others in learning the proper methods and safety procedures.
  • Spacing plants (evenly separated and properly aligned)
  • Jamming plants (together without damage)
  • Weeding plants (efficiently, completely removing the weed)
  • Fertilizing plants (evenly and uniformly)
  • Staking plants (straight and uniformly)
  • Pruning plants (uniform)
• Application of granular herbicide to control weeds
• Collection of material for cutting preparation 
  • Maintain sanitary collection procedures 
  • Identify ideal material to be taken for cuttings, free of disease and in good health
  • Proper storage of cutting material
  • Chemical treatment of cutting material as needed 
  • Movement of Cutting Material out of field to maintain health of the cutting 
• Preparation of cuttings 
  • Identification of ideal cutting type and size, label bunches, counting of cuttings 
  • Proper treatment with the correct rooting hormone
  • Storage of prepared cuttings to ensure they do not dry out before sticking 
• Sticking of cuttings 
  • Stick cuttings at proper depth using progressive stick method with an identifying label 
  • Cuttings should be in the center of the cell and strait
  • Cuttings should not be allowed to dry out while sticking
• Filling of Trays and placement in the Greenhouse 
  • Trays should be properly prepared with damp soil before sticking
  • Trays should be placed in straight beds in the designated propagation area 
• Modify mist during sticking process to ensure cuttings do not dry out, point out concerns to the irrigation Technicians when seen.
• Potting crops from liners to meet quality and quantity standards 
  • Applying label correctly to pot 
  • Filling containers with correct soil
  • Watering the soil to settle
  • Inserting the proper liners at the proper depth
  • Watering plants after potting
  • Placing plants in cleaned section in orderly beds
  • Cleaning up work areas after potting 
• Potting crops from bare root or shift ups to meet quality and quantity standards 
  • Applying label correctly to pot
  • Inserting the proper liners at the proper depth
  • Filling containers with correct soil
  • Watering plants after potting 
  • Placing plants in cleaned section in orderly beds
  • Cleaning up work areas after potting
• Perform routine tasks in the Tissue Culture laboratory including the following:
  • Prepare compost for rooting and planting ex vitro
  • Transfer TC cultures for rooting (ex vitro)
  • Transfer TC propagules to compost
  • Maintain TC propagules for establishment and growth in compost
  • Handle growing containers for tasks 1- 4 through preparation, maintenance, and cleaning
  • General green rooms maintenance duties: cleaning, organizing, washing
  • Monitor culture conditions in green rooms and report to TC Tech 1
• Movement of Liners to and from holding areas and/or greenhouses to potting areas or other holding areas.
• Selection and movement of shift up plants to and from holding areas and/or greenhouses to potting areas or other holding areas
• Fully understand McCorkle Quality Policy and objectives and this job’s role in meeting those goals and objectives
• Work in a safe manner and participate in safety training; ensure others working with you follow correct safety procedures; identify safety hazards so they may be corrected

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Work in all areas as needed

REQUIRED JOB SKILLS:

• Communicate effectively with other team members, Willingness to always perform all assigned tasks with a positive attitude.
• Ability to accept guidance and do the job right the first time
• Ability to identify nursery plants and plant parts
• Ability to drive and operate nursery equipment
• Ability to safely operate and maintain nursery equipment needed to complete the job.
• Basic understanding of plants and support machinery.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE POSITION:

• Requires prolonged standing, walking, lifting, and occasional climbing
• Must be able to work in severe weather conditions, both heat and cold
• Requires lifting to 50 lbs. repeatedly
• Requires flexibility to bend at waist and knees repeatedly and for extended periods
• Must have the stamina to work until the job is done.
• Must be able to work in severe heat and cold while wearing PPE