WA Grow Assistant

Walla Walla Nursery Co

Assistant WA Growing Manager Job Description

Job Title: Assistant WA Growing Manager

Reports To: WA Grow Manager

Position Status: Full Time Regular

Compensation: $25.75 - 36 (DOE)

General Job Description: 

Primarily responsible for the day-to-day care of rooted plants in all programs making sure that plants receive correct levels of nutrients, water and light following best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists WA Growing Manager with creating and establishing a grow plan for all crop programs. Trains Greenhouse leads on their specific program plan.
• Controls growing environments to meet the needs of newly planted and establishing crops. Balances environmental variables including humidity, temperature, leaf surface wetness, shade, ventilation, and soil moisture content to minimize plant stress and hasten rooting times and plant development.
• Develops an intimate understanding of plant needs through close observation, ongoing education, accessing vendor partner experience (culture sheets), self-study, experience, and experimentation.
• Supports plant health and growth by supplying nutrients and irrigation at gradually increasing levels as required by the establishing crops as they progress through establishment.
• Identifies the optimum growing environments for each species and groups compatible plant types together in appropriate environments.
• Uses automation to full advantage including but not limited to iGrow consoles, fog machines, booms, side wall and roof vents, bottom heat, etc. Ensures environmental controls are in good working order.
• Ensures sanitation of growing areas. Surfaces are disinfected pre-plant and regularly thereafter to be kept free of algae and slime. Dead or dying plants are removed daily. Growing environments are 100% weed free at all times.
• Promotes good structure on actively growing plants via trimming and PGR applications where appropriate
• Scouts daily for disease and insect outbreaks. Assists IPM with control measures.
• Carefully documents and reports inventory changes, overall counts, losses, transfers, and plant status changes. Establishes baseline metrics for measuring future improvements. Understands, identifies and records reasons for failure consistently.
• Trains backup and support staff to ensure continuity of plant environments across shifts, weekends etc.
• Works weekends on rotation to perform watering duties as assigned
• This organization fully embraces and integrates lean principles and culture, aiming to reduce waste, enhance process efficiencies, and improve working conditions. It is committed to fostering a positive morale and a culture of continuous improvement that empowers teams and drives sustainable growth.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent knowledge
• Strong skills with verbal and written communication
• Basic computer skills and strong math skills
• Horticulture knowledge a plus but not required
• Skills and ability in time management and task prioritization
• Ability to be self-motivated while paying close attention to detail
• An adaptive personality with an ability to remain flexible

Physical Requirements

• Extensive pulling and/or pushing of tools, wheelbarrows, containers, etc.
• Sit and/or walk for extensive periods of time while sorting, picking, examining, weeding, transporting, spacing, pruning, etc.
• Stoop and/or bend over while performing farm balfour such as weeding, irrigating, pruning, spacing, picking, removing debris, etc.
• Performing repetitive movements such as picking, sorting, pruning, shoveling, weeding, etc.
• Lift or load up to 50 pounds
• Fieldwork begins at an assigned time shortly after daylight
• Work may be performed during environmental extremes including but not limited to light rain and in high humidity and in freezing or high temperatures.
• May be required to work when crops are wet with dew/rain and should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions
• Must be able to walk across uneven terrain.

Professional Mindset:

• Develops a working knowledge and awareness of LEAN principles and actively participates in building a culture of continuous improvement. Strives to ensure workflow processes and stations are set up to minimize waste, improve working conditions and safety, and maximize productivity and value to the customer.
• Demonstrates commitment to learning and upholding company policies including safety and quality standards, and the mission, vision, principles and ethics of WWNC.
• Develops a strong understanding of industry and WWNC quality standards and consistently delivers work that meets or exceeds those standards by following procedures, checking work for accuracy, and promptly addressing defects or issues.
• Takes initiative for personal growth by actively “learning the business”, seeking feedback from peers and supervisors, and engaging in relevant educational, training or professional development opportunities.

Other requirements

• Must go through annual WPS training

Direct Reports:

• Greenhouse Supervisor
• Propagation Supervisor
• Phase II Supervisor

Employee Signature___________________________________ Date_____________________________

Salary : $26 - $36