What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Grower of Young Plants position at Knox Horticulture?
Young Plant Grower
Job summary:
Knox Horticulture is seeking someone with a passion for plants to join our team as a Young Plant Grower. This role is primarily responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of the cultural techniques we are using to grow our crops, making sure the details of the growing operation are not missed. Under direction of our Head Grower, this role will work in the greenhouses scouting, identifying issues with crops, working with the booms, hoses and back pack sprayers.
About Knox Hort:
- Knox Horticulture began in 1962 as Knox Nursery and is a leading wholesaler of young plants to greenhouses across the Unites States, Canada and Central/South America.
- We are located on 33 acres of former orange groves in Winter Garden, FL.
- Our production processes make extensive use of automation and computer technology, include RFID tracking of plant trays from production to shipping.
- We use the Eco-friendly EZ-Pot System to significantly reduce the use of traditional plastic pots and saving money, while providing our customers with plants that have a healthier root system, resulting in faster finish times after transplant.
- We are proud to be in the Top 100 Greenhouse Growers in the United States.
Essential job duties include:
- Responsible for assigned propagation of either young plant plug seedlings or liners from unrooted cuttings.
- Monitors growing conditions and discusses changes in humidity, moisture and temperature and cultivation procedures with Head Grower to ensure conformance with quality control standards.
- On a daily basis inspects crop to ascertain conditions such as leaf texture, appearance and overall plant size/development. All the while scouting for the existence of pests or disease; removing substandard or diseased plants to maintain quality standards.
- Demonstrates proper use of injectors, electrical conductivity and pH meter, boom and irrigations systems.
- Mixes, applies and safely handles chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.
- Meets expectations for attendance and punctuality.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must have a passion for plants.
- Ability to calculate figures amounts, proportions, percentages, and volume in relation to the application of fertilizers, chemicals, and water. Apply the principles of algebra and geometry for applications of such procedures.
- Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions necessary to identify a wide variety of conditions such as plant diseases, existence of insects, etc.
- Self-driven, organized, and able to prioritize multiple projects.
- Must be able to follow-through and complete responsibilities.
- Flexible to a changing, fast-moving environment.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to perform work outdoors in landscape bedding plant area and indoors in greenhouse and warehouse conditions.
- Excellent English communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish is desired but not required.
Education and Experience:
- 2-4 year degree in Horticulture or related field and/or 2-5 years of related work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
- If you have neither, in your response/cover letter/email, please include why you should be considered for the position.
Other Requirements:
- MUST have reliable transportation.
- MUST have a strong work ethic and desire to thrive, not just get by.
- Candidate MUST be able to carry a full back pack sprayer on their back, approximately 35 pounds.
- Candidate MUST have an attention to detail. Every plant is "speaking" to you, are you listening through your visible observations of the plants.
- Standard schedule will be Sun-Thu or Tue-Sat.
- Knox Horticulture is a drug-free employer.
- Knox Horticulture utilizes E-Verify to verify employment eligibility as required by the State of Florida
- While we post a starting wage, the position is commensurate with the candidates past experience or qualifications!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
Salary : $19