Grower Technician & Material Handler

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Job description

Description:

PRIMARY PURPOSE AND FUNCTION: The Grower Technician assists the Section Grower and Lead Grower in ensuring all plants produced in the greenhouses at Walters Gardens are grown to the highest quality standard and in a safe, efficient, and economical way.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Moisture Management

Monitor crops daily to determine when to irrigate plants based on growing environment, plant needs, and moisture levels

Learn different varieties, sizes, season cycles, and water patterns to achieve a proper and even moisture level throughout crops

Operate, maintain, and schedule all irrigation systems

Communicate with Section Grower and Lead Grower for specific water, environmental, and special application needs daily and before weekends/holidays

Participate in Friday, weekend, and holiday watering schedules

Fertility Management

Read, assess and coordinate weekly media testing and water sampling

Schedule and apply fertilizer and/or other nutrients weekly based on media testing results

Learn and understand the different fertilizer blends and rates

Upkeep Injector room by monitoring equipment, adjusting injector rates, and mixing tanks when necessary.

Choose between fertilizer blends and rates for optimal plant nutrition based on media testing and water sampling results

Keep crops on schedule

Sanitation

Scout weekly for algae, liverwort, and weeds in and around the greenhouses

Apply sanitation techniques to control algae and liverwort growth

Remove and destroy all weeds and liverwort as they are observed

Keep greenhouse aisles and floor matting free of debris

Make herbicide applications around the greenhouses as needed

Applying slug bait and mouse bait to greenhouse ranges

Utilize ride on sweeper to keep aisles and production areas clean

Disposal of chemical rinsate on field grounds

Material Handling

Unloading deliveries and putting supplies in proper locations

Help keep production areas organized by moving skids, removing waste, and moving dumpsters

Assist with unloading cuttings and tissue culture and moving to proper holding facilities

Additional Duties

Participate in chemical applications of plant growth regulators, fungicides, and insecticides

Monitor crops and coordinate mowing/pruning as needed

Assist with mowing and moving of plants as needed

Observe and communicate any pest and disease issues to the IPM Team, Section Grower, and Lead Grower immediately

Communicate any other problems or concerns to Section Grower and/or Lead Grower immediately

Assist in keeping inventory accurate with physical inventory checks and checking plug pulling documents.

Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• 2 years of horticulture education or experience
• Basic organizational and math skills
• Computer skills (including Microsoft Office)
• Ability to be on your feet for 9 hours each day
• Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50lbs)
• Available to work on weekends as needed
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred

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