Irrigation Checker - Tree Farm

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for a dependable and detail-oriented team member to help maintain proper irrigation and moisture levels for container-grown trees and shrubs throughout the growing season. This position is responsible for monitoring irrigation systems, identifying and correcting issues, and proactively inspecting assigned areas to ensure plants receive adequate water while operating an ATV.

Job Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday: 8-hour shifts & Sunday: 4-hour shift

If you are seeking a temporary employment opportunity instead, please email [email protected] or stop by the main office to complete an employment application.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Daily probe the soil in the pots and record the results by section and tree species in the app.
• Maintain irrigation drippers, wobblers, spray heads, pipes, pressures to assure proper spray pattern in designated areas.
• Proactively scout sections to assure that no dry downs or over watering are occurring due to weather
• Scout for any pest, disease, wilt, dryness or any other problems or abnormalities within crops and report as soon as possible to Supervisor or Team Leader.
• Conduct periodic flushing of sections to clean poly tubes/pvc lines of debris capable of clogging the wobblers/spray heads or spitters.
• Turn any ball valves on /off to assure correct moisture to wet or dry crops as necessary.
• Evaluate any special needs within crops and keep Team Leader informed of issues and challenges.
• Report any large PVC breaks, holes, ground cover issues to the supervisor immediately.
• Report or correct any safety issues or concerns as soon as possible ex. rings pulled out, broken pieces of pipe, holes in ground. If it is a small job, fix it yourself, if not please report it to the supervisor.
• Follow up on recently planted sections to accommodate for special watering needs.
• Repair, or replace poly tube, polylines, drippers, wobblers, PVC lines if not in working order.
• Clean up after any repair, example: fill holes back in, replace ground cover, throw away any broken pipe and fittings, properly reinstall any rings and put the plant back.
• Lift fallen trees on down time or notify team leaders if trees are too large or are numerous.
• Assure that equipment issued such as the ATV is in proper working order and it receives its maintenance on schedule. Perform daily preventative maintenance checks on ATV.
• Support other water checkers as needed or as directed.
• Work on a task list that may include (tree pick up, ground cover repair, picking up trash…etc) as determined by Supervisor/Team Leader.
• May also provide support to other departments on rainy days to prune, weed, apply fertilizer or any other activity performed on the farm.
• Operate an ATV.
• Follow all CL safety rules and regulations.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1+ month of prior experience working in a nursery or tree farm, in cultivation/harvesting and/or installation of commercial plant material, handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities.
• Prior irrigation maintenance experience is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of irrigation clocks and electronic valves for troubleshooting purposes.
• Plant knowledge and identification is a plus.
• Knowledge of agricultural equipment is a plus.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / HOURS OF WORK

Physical Job Duties

• Work can be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring frequent bending, lifting, and shoveling.
• Regularly required to stand; walk; bend; crouch; squat; stoop or kneel.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Job Site Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, outside weather (heat or cold), and moving mechanical equipment.

NOTICE

CHERRYLAKE, INC. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND/OR REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DUTIES AT ITS DISCRETION.

DFWP, EOE & EVERIFY