SUMMARY:

The Cultivation Intern is responsible for maintaining the high quality of live and harvested product while paying close attention to detail during the cultivation process. The Intern will rotate among seven different departments of cultivation in order to gain well-rounded hands-on experience of Cannabis Sativa cultivation and post-harvest processing.

This is a temporary 10-week paid internship at our cultivation facility in Salinas, CA. Candidates must be available 40 hours per week this summer 2023 between May - August. Interns will be responsible for their own housing and transportation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (This list is not intended to be all inclusive)

Cultivation: Nursery Team – 1 week  

• Propagation: Taking cuttings, sticking cuttings, and pruning mother plants.
• Young Plants: Transplanting plants on an automated transplant line, pinch plants to increase branching, and move plants into and out of the nursery.

Cultivation: Defoliation Team – 1 week  

• Defoliating flowering cannabis plants to improve air flow and light penetration into the canopy.
• Skirting off small lower branches to improve source-sink relationship.

Cultivation: Flowering Greenhouse Team – 2 weeks  

• Topping cannabis plants to increase branching and increase yield.
• Irrigation utilizing automated systems.
• pH and EC analysis and tracking.

Moving and Harvesting Team - 2 weeks  

• Moving young plants into flowering houses.
• Harvesting plants, weighing plants for initial wet weight, tracking wet weights, and transporting harvested plants to drying area.
• Dumping pots and cleaning / preparing greenhouse space for next crop cycle.

Drying Team – 2 weeks  

• Work with Assistant Processing Manager to hang plants for drying and re-arrange drying material to ensure proper post-harvest quality.
• Utilize bucking machines to process dried material.

Quality Control Team – 1 week  

• Assist Quality Control team with evaluating processed product.
• Assist with packaging of bucked material to be transported to trimming.
• Learn METRC requirements and help with tagging plants.

Research & Development – 1 week  

• Assist with upkeep of research trials and data collection.
• Assist with maintaining the Elite virus free mother stock.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Must be willing to obtain a basic understanding of cannabis laws, rules and regulations set forth by the state and local authorities.
• Ability to be flexible and work in various sectors of the department as needed and/or requested by their direct supervisor; this may include but is not limited to, helping other departments.
• Ability to evaluate and adapt to new processing methods, must meet or exceed established production goals, and/or modify technique/procedures.
• Fundamental knowledge, as well as the ability to be taught and guided in areas related to the cultivation process.
• Skill in analyzing potential problems with a plant or the product being cultivated; “coded product”.
• Shows self-motivation/innovation and the ability to work well with all staff members, vendors, customers, as well as to work well independently.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment appropriately while not overstepping chain of command.
• Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concern in a constructive manner.
• Follow all safety protocols and policies. Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training.
• Work scheduled shifts and show up on time and ready to work; record all time worked accurately, promptly, and honestly.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform grasping, lifting, walking, standing, some bending/crouching, stooping, stretching, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time while maintaining focus.
• Must be able to detect product issues, such as spider mite, powdery mildew, and/or botrytis.
• Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to stock or bring product down from storage or racks and maintain the cultivation
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull and balance up to 50 pounds (100 pounds with assistance) and must be able to do so with extreme care and caution when working with plants and products.
• Work is performed inside greenhouse facilities exposed to temperatures ranging above a constant 75°F.
• Work is subject to weather conditions, including rain and extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• May require working rotating shifts with varied hours/day, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Must be enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college Horticulture program or related major, or recently graduated with a Horticulture degree or related major.
• THE INTERN IS ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OWN HOUSING and TRANSPORTATION
• Must be 21 years old per state regulations and pass a criminal background check
• High school diploma, GED graduate.
• Previous agricultural/warehouse/manufacturing/laborer experience a plus.

PAY:

$15.50 / hour