Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Work description

I. Background Merion Landscape Services LLC (established in 2019) is a Tampa, FL-based employer engaged primarily in Landscaping. We have a temporary, seasonal need for 11 workers to be employed as Tree Trimmers and Pruners (SOC 37-3013.00 Tree Trimmers and Pruners). We are a returning H-2B program user, and the instant request is entirely consistent with our previously-established seasonal needs. II. Regulatory Standards Per the regulations, a seasonal labor need is one in which the employers need for services or labor is traditionally tied to a season of the year by an event or pattern and is of a recurring nature. Employment is not considered seasonal if the period during which the services or labor is not needed is unpredictable or subject to change, or is considered a vacation period for the employers permanent employees. The request for seasonal workers must also represent bona fide job opportunities for the number of workers requested. III. Temporary Need A. Period of Need Our labor need for Tree Trimmers and Pruners is driven by the well-established seasonal tree maintenance cycle in the Tampa, Florida area, which occurs predictably each year from mid-November through early March. This period coincides with cooler, drier weather conditions that are optimal for tree trimming activities. During these months, reduced heat and humidity allow crews to work more efficiently and safely, while minimizing stress to the trees and promoting healthier regrowth. This season also aligns with increased customer demand for tree trimming before and during the winter months to remove hazardous branches ahead of seasonal storms, maintain aesthetic appearance for residential and commercial properties during the holiday season, and prepare landscaping for the rapid growth that begins in spring. As the season transitions into March, temperatures rise, new growth emerges, and the urgency for large-scale trimming declines, resulting in a predictable reduction in workload. This pattern is consistent, recurring, and not a vacation period for our permanent employees. Our year-round workforce remains employed during other months performing core, non-seasonal work, but the peak demand for large-scale tree trimming and pruning consistently occurs during the mid-November to early March window, necessitating the use of supplemental seasonal workers to meet client needs. B. Bona Fide Job Opportunity Based on analysis of prior seasons and current business projections for the coming year, we estimate a bona fide business need for 11 seasonal workers during the requested period of need. This is consistent with our most recent H-2B application. IV. Summary In sum, Merion Landscape Services LLC asserts that it has a seasonal need for 11 workers for the period beginning 11/15/2026 and ending 3/1/2027. This need is temporary, predictable, recurring, and represents bona fide job opportunities. Accordingly, we assert that we satisfy the regulatory standards for participation in the H-2B Program.