Field Grower

Summary
The Field Grower works directly under the Nursery Manager to maintain plant health and support plant growth and quality in the nursery field. This includes fertility, plant monitoring, pest and disease management, data collection, and maintaining critical equipment. This role will also work with the Greenhouse Grower for coverage and understanding of the greenhouse growing systems and crops providing back-up and support during busy seasons.
Job Responsibilities (not limited to)

•    Follow supervisor guidance to maintain plant health: watering, fertilizer, chemical application
•    Works with Nursery Manager and Greenhouse Grower to understand the full production cycle
•    Ensures plant health throughout this product’s life: greenhouse, in field, cold storage
•    Responsible for the care of all crops in the field from planting to packing
•    Requires daily collection of data in the field
•    Understand and troubleshoot all irrigation and environmental controls use for field and greenhouse
•    Assist with making calculated adjustments to irrigation schedule, fertility, etc.
•    Assist in maintaining and sanitizing facilities and equipment
•    Mix fertilizer stock solutions weekly, check composition
•    Create detailed field maps, maintain notes and computer files, ensuring accurate field and crate labels
•    Assist with maintaining accurate product inventory at planting, packing and shipping; occasionally conducting physical counts in field and cold storage
•    Monitor greenhouse conditions such as temperature, humidity, etc.
•    Assist in other growing activities such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning and any other plant related activities to produce a quality product
•    Provide back-up to Greenhouse Supervisor and Greenhouse Grower as needed
•    Participate in all Greenhouse Crew activities as needed
•    Participate in Company Safety program by attending training and monitoring safety of self and coworkers in the surrounding work environment
•    Available for rotating weekend coverage: Greenhouse and field checks
•    Available for after-hours emergencies (rare, mainly remote login for system checks)
•    Ensure critical production equipment is operational
•    Maintain work laptop for remote login and system controls
•    Review existing written procedures, schedules, and training aids and makes necessary modifications to keep process documentation current and applicable (new SOP’s as necessary)

Supervisor Responsibilities:
•    No direct reports, however:
o    Works closely with crew supervisors in planning plant activities and daily production flow (planting, pruning, packing, shipping) based on the needs of the crop.
o    Assist crew supervisors as needed looking for efficiencies and monitoring employee hours and productivity.
•    Promotes workplace safety.  Understands and adheres to the Company’s Accident Prevention Program.  
 

Qualifications

• Currently lives within commuting distance to Ferndale, WA
• Degree in horticulture, plant science, agriculture management, preferred OR equivalent experience in greenhouse growing or raspberry production
• Previous experience with plants, control systems, drip irrigation, nutrient solutions, pumps, solenoids, pH, and EC preferred
• Critical thinking skills to troubleshoot plant health or equipment issues
• Ability to take direction and work with a team to achieve production and quality goals
• Work independently and remain focused on the task at hand
• Communicate effectively (verbal and written) with supervisor and diverse populations
• Attention to detail and manual dexterity
• Experience operating forklift, four-wheeler, tractor, and other small equipment
• General computer skills - Microsoft Excel and other Office program
• Obtain/Maintain private applicators license

Working Conditions

Frequently works in greenhouse and field conditions.  Frequently works in wet or humid conditions, near moving or mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, near toxic or caustic chemicals, in outdoor weather conditions, or in extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands

Frequently lifts 10-50 pounds and occasionally lifts 50-100 pounds.  Frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; to stand; walk long distances; sit; crouch or stoop; to reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.  Close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus is required

Salary : $22 - $27