SCOPE OR PURPOSE OF POSITION:
To supervise, manage or participate in all aspects of growing high quality plug and liner products on time, at a reasonable cost and of the required quality specification as communicated by the customer.
Tasks/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure that all growing staff understand and follow the correct moisture management requirements of the various crops in production.
- Ensure that new employees are properly trained to apply water to the various sizes of containers without causing damage to or loss of plant materials and know how to operate the various systems.
- Ensure that all growing staff understand and follow the correct time of day and conditions in which to irrigate the crops to avoid disease or fungal infections.
- Assist to irrigate crops in emergency situations such as, holidays, labor shortages, unusual weather, etc.
- Coordinate with Human Resources training personnel to ensure that all growing employees have successfully completed the Costa Farms Moisture Management Training within one week of hire.
- Report, and follow up on, any maintenance issues regarding water handling systems to the Operations Manager or Mechanic for repair.
- Review and submit requests for tools, parts or other materials needed for irrigation systems to the Head Grower for review.
- Fertigation:
- Direct the proper selection, rate, frequency and application of liquid fertilizers to ensure high quality plants are produced without wasting resources.
- Supervise the proper calibration and maintenance of injection systems.
- Randomly test fertilizer outputs from injection systems to ensure proper calibration and rates are being achieved.
- Review and submit requests to the Head Grower for fertilizer products to be purchased.
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Pest Management:
- Maintain pest levels at or below an acceptable level to avoid loss of sales or customer dissatisfaction.
- Direct the proper selection, rate, frequency and application of all pesticides throughout the farm to ensure high quality plants are produced without wasting resources.
- Assist with actual applications in emergency situations such as; holidays, labor shortages, etc.
- Scout all active growing areas weekly to quickly identify any pest problems. Report all pest problems to the farm’s Head Grower immediately.
- Maintain a financially sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system to avoid losses from pests.
- Acquire, within ninety days of hire, and maintain, a valid pesticide applicators certification or license from the state where the farm is physically located.
- Ensure that the farm is compliant with the “Worker Protection Standards Act” of 1992 to include the instruction of new employees in regard to pesticide safety, growing department personnel with regard to pesticide safety as well as loading, handling and application of pesticides, and the re-certification annually of all existing employees with regard to pesticide safety.
- Maintain the Costa Farms Sprayer Module and record keeping system and ensure that work orders are completed in a timely manner.
- Report, and follow up on, any maintenance issues regarding pesticide application systems to the Operations Manager or Mechanic for repair.
- Review and submit requests to the Head Grower for pesticide products, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or spraying supplies to be purchased.
- Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Management:
- Direct the application of Plant Growth Regulators to various crops to ensure a high quality, saleable product that meets customer expectations without wasting resources.
- Assist with actual applications in emergency situations such as; holidays, labor shortages, etc.
- Conduct trials to determine the best rates, intervals and PGR chemicals to be used on various products.
- Supervise the calibration of equipment to ensure that proper rates are being applied to the crops.
- Supervise and assist with the gathering of information, data entry and PGR recommendations on crops that require graphical tracking.
- Environmental Management:
- Oversee the programming and/or set-points of all greenhouse environmental control systems to maintain the most efficient growing environment possible without compromising crop timing or quality.
- Oversee the programming, use and maintenance of any supplemental or photoperiod lighting systems.
- Report and follow up on, any defective environmental equipment or structural problems (deflated hoops, holes in walls, vents not sealing properly, etc.) to the Operations Manager and Mechanic for repair.
- Miscellaneous Requirements:
- Provide information to the Farm Manager/Head Grower regarding grow times, variety selections, potting media and growing program changes to be incorporated into Costa production systems.
- Acquire additional information and knowledge from industry experts, consultants and representatives to continually improve quality and reduce losses or shrink.
- Set-up, record the results of and coordinate the production of trials of alternate genetics, new products, pesticides and plant growth regulators or other chemicals to improve efficiency, profitability, product mix or consistency of products.
- Coordinate with the Operations Manager or Field Labor Manager to facilitate spreading, pinching, weeding, grooming, moving or any other operation required.
- Manage task scheduling via SAMII ERP system as required.
- Assist the Head Grower with SAMII assembly maintenance and audits as required.
Skills
- Minimum two years experience growing and finishing a variety of annual flowering products.
- Four-year college degree preferred but not required.
- Ability to speak read and write English. Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred but not required.
- Proven track record to manage a diverse team and lead change management.
- Ability to learn to operate environmental control systems and an understanding of greenhouse environmental management.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
- Familiarity with proper moisture management techniques.
- Familiarity with proper nutrient management and testing procedures.
- Ability to acquire a pesticide applicators license/permit within ninety days of hire.
- Read, Write and Speak English.
- Lift fifty pounds.
- Walk, bend and kneel unassisted.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITITES
- Manage the growing staff in daily applications of water and fertilizer and other labor operations.
- Manage the chemical applicator personnel in daily chemical applications.
- Manage the field labor employees performing various tasks in and around the growing area.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Education AND/OR TRAINING
- High School Diploma
- Minimum Five Years Growing Experience
- Basic Costa Orientation and Safety
- Worker Protection Standards Act; Pesticide Awareness and Safety
- Chemical Mixing, Handling and Loading Training
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook)
- Costa Farms Systems (Sprayer, Production)
- Moisture Management
- Farm/Work Location Orientation
- Pest Recognition/Identification
- SAMII Production, Analysis and Reporting Modules
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS PERCENTAGE OF TIME
Sitting and computer work 35%
Walking 40%
Standing 20%
Lifting, pushing pulling up to 50lbs. 5%
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment for this position is outdoors in full sun exposure or in a warehouse/greenhouse area. This position should expect an environment with large fluctuations in temperature including hot and humid to below freezing. This position should expect to work in inclement weather at times with minimal protection. This position should expect a dusty or dirty work environment. This position will be required to work extended hours, weekends and holidays as required.