Nursery Workers job and career information

Career:
Nursery Worker

Job Description: Work in nursery facilities or at customer location planting, cultivating, harvesting, and transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants.

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What Nursery Workers do:

Plant, spray, weed, fertilize, and water plants, shrubs, and trees, using hand tools and gardening tools.
Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality.
Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.
Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.

Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels.

Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease.

Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants.

Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.

Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.

Trap and destroy pests such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides.

Record information about plants and plant growth.

Provide information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.

Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.

Maintain inventory, ordering materials as required.

Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees; wrap their roots; and pack them into boxes to fill orders.

Regulate greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.

Fold and staple corrugated forms to make boxes used for packing horticultural products.

Dig, rake, and screen soil; and fill cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting.

Fill growing tanks with water.

Dip cut flowers into disinfectant, count them into bunches, and place them in boxes to prepare them for storage and shipping.

Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.

Graft plants and trees into different rootstock to reduce disease by inserting and tying buds into incisions in rootstock.

Cut, roll, and stack sod.

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What work activities does a Nursery Worker do?

Importance		Activities
		Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
		Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.