Grower Technician

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

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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