Winter Services Technician

Work description

Obersons Nursery and Landscapes LLC (established in 2004) is an employer engaged in property maintenance services. We have a temporary, seasonal need for 12 workers to be employed as Winter Services Technicians at our operations located in Elizabethtown, KY. We are a returning H-2B program user, and the instant request is substantially consistent with our previously established temporary need. We are requesting a later end date by less than 30 days to better meet our customers late-season labor needs, especially since we have moved offices and slightly expanded our market area to remain competitive. These changes are immaterial in nature, and directly corresponds to historical weather data showing snow events in our area through late March. Historically, our company has consistently attempted to recruit and rely upon temporary U.S. workers to meet the demands of this seasonal winter position. While we have been successful in doing so in previous years, recent trends have demonstrated significant challenges in locating a sufficient number of qualified and available U.S. workers to fill these roles, particularly for off-season winter maintenance work. As a result, and in order to ensure continuity of services for our customers during the colder months, we are once seeking to supplement our workforce through the H-2B program for this distinct position. This instant request is for the position of Winter Services Technician, which is intended to meet our operational needs during the late fall and winter months. This position serves a completely different function within our business compared to our traditional landscaping labor needs during the warmer seasons. While both this position and our prior H-2B position were assigned the same Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code, it is critical to emphasize that the job duties, operational timeframes, and labor needs are entirely different in nature. The Landscape Laborer role supports our operations during the landscaping season. Workers in this role are responsible for tasks such as landscaping and maintaining grounds of properties, sod installation, mowing, mulching, and sprinkler installation. This position is considered entry-level and is performed under supervision. Its primary purpose is to meet the labor-intensive needs associated with landscape installation and maintenance during the growing season. The current application, for Winter Services Technician, is focused solely on late fall and winter maintenance operations. This includes services that are essential to maintaining both commercial and residential properties during the non-growing season. Duties include fall and winter storm clean-up, including removal of branches, leaves, and other debris caused by seasonal storms; leaf blowing and removal as part of fall property maintenance; winter pruning and dormant-season trimming of trees and shrubs to prepare them for spring growth; snow and ice removal services, including shoveling snow from sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas; operating snow blowers and hand tools for snow and ice removal; and performing routine maintenance and minor repairs on snow removal equipment. This role is likewise considered entry-level and requires supervision but is geared toward winter-specific property care and maintenance services that are not covered by our landscape laborer roles. Despite the shared occupational classification as assigned by the NPWC, the two positions are functionally distinct, serving entirely different purposes aligned with the seasonal nature of our business. The spring and summer Landscape Laborer position supports property beautification and upkeep during the active growing season, while the Winter Services Technician role supports critical property maintenance and safety during adverse winter weather conditions throughout the fall and winter. (Continued on attachment).

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Last updated: October 7, 2026