Nursery Specialist

ArborGen’s Nursery in Bluff City, AR has a position open for a Nursery Specialist. This facility produces 45 million+ bareroot pine and hardwood seedlings annually. The Nursery Specialist is required to perform all of the skilled operations at a nursery. He/she is responsible for production goals, product quality and minimizing nursery expenses. A specialist must be reliable, innovative, team-oriented and conscientious with a positive work attitude.

• Operate, maintain, modify and calibrate farm tractors, agricultural equipment, irrigation system components, and other equipment used on the job.
• Weld and fabricate metal items.
• Maintain records including but not limited to equipment maintenance, parts inventory, safety inspections, and fuel records.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of an automatic irrigation system including pump station, below ground main lines, above ground supply system, and digital controllers.
• Assist in all phases of weed control, including herbicide application, mechanical control and hand weeding.
• Assist in all phases of crop nutrition including fertilizer applications and crop tissue and soil sampling.
• Wear safety personal protective equipment, maintain facility, and maintain a safe working environment. Participate in and complete required safety training.
• Supervise labor in various nursery operations. Will be working with a contract labor crew on a daily basis during certain times of the year.
• Serve as a team member and/or leader in group work improvement projects.
• Work extended hours, weekends and holidays, outdoors in all types of weather conditions as required. Examples would be weekend irrigation duty or repair, planting season, and lifting season to meet production goals.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues to meat peak needs and production goals.
• Adapt quickly to changing conditions including job functions.
• Ability to be innovative and resourceful to accomplish goals.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

• Department: Daily interaction with Supervisor (Production Coordinator and or Nursery Manager). Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate work group.
• Company: Interaction with peers in other nursery and orchard groups across the company as related to seedling production targets.
• Outside Company: May participate in outside conferences and symposia when appropriate.

• Experience in industrial mechanics, agricultural mechanics, general construction, welding, metal fabrication, hydraulics, electrical systems, HVAC and equipment repair / maintenance.
• (Preferred) Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance, Agriculture / Horticulture Engineering, Welding, Electrical, General Mechanical or 5+ years’ experience operating and maintaining industrial and/or agricultural equipment in lieu of education.
• Tractor and forklift operation experience preferred but not required.
• Private Pesticide applicator license preferred, but not required.

• This is a non-exempt position. Seasonal overtime and weekend work required. Little to no overnight travel. 90% of work is out of doors in all seasons and weather conditions, 10% record-keeping.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

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