Grower & IPM Specialist Position Available In McDowell, North Carolina

Grower & IPM Specialist 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars Old Fort, NC 28762

Job Title:

Grower, IPM Specialist Start Date :

No later than September 1st. First round interviews begin early July.

Pay Rate:

Minimum $19/hr, salary commensurate with experience and will be discussed further upon application.

Benefits:

Benefits take effect after 6 months of employment.

PTO:

80 hours of PTO granted at the beginning of the year to be used for sick, personal or vacation leave. All full time employees receive 48 hours of paid scheduled holidays.

IRA:

Eligible for full-time year-round employees averaging 30+ hours per week. Painters Greenhouse contributes 3% of gross wages toward the IRA if the employee chooses to participate.

Staff Discount:

30-50% off all items, plus freebies throughout the year!

Work Schedule:

Ideally Monday-Friday 8-4. Some flexibility in summer and ‘slower’ times for shorter days. Must be able to work a rotation of one weekend a month when open to customers (mid Sept-mid October, and March-June). •May need to stay later on exceptionally hot days for more watering needs, or to cover/move crops for frost, or on days when chemical applications are needed. Qualifications for

Position:

High School degree or GED. A minimum of two years of greenhouse growing experience is required, more is preferred- including but not limited to hand watering greenhouse grown crops, scouting for pests and diseases, and chemical application. Experience growing a range of greenhouse plants is preferred – i.e., annuals, tropicals, houseplants, succulents, and perennials.

Job Requirements:

Ability to work well with others of varying personalities is essential; we greatly value our team dynamic, with staff who truly enjoy working here. Must be able to follow verbal and written directions accurately and efficiently, as well as have the ability to plan and prioritize without direction once trained. Communication throughout each workday with management and peers to ensure tasks are prioritized and completed as needed is essential. Must have a willingness (& ideally experience) to handle and apply chemicals regularly (sometimes multiple days a week). Have ability to independently research, plan, organize and document pest control and IPM practices on the computer. Proficiency in fundamental computer applications including Excel and Google Drive. Ability to work in extreme temperatures and humidity is a must. Ability to stand and walk on concrete all day is a must. Ability to lift and carry items of 50 lbs. is essential (barring any short-term injury).

Job Description :

This role best suits someone who enjoys routine while remaining flexible, who is highly organized and observant, and has strong prioritization skills. The majority of the day is spent watering a wide variety of plants by hand. The IPM portion of the job requires experience and comfort with research and programs such as Excel. Because Painters is open to customers seasonally, this role can vary from peaceful to hectic throughout the year. During retail hours, growers need to be friendly and helpful with customers while prioritizing plant care, and be able to accommodate regular interruptions or changing needs. Above all else, this position requires physical stamina and the capacity to work in heat and humidity.

Responsibilities Plant Care :

Prioritize watering, fertilizing and pest control for all crops in the areas assigned. Learn specific needs of each species being cared for at all life stages. Be willing to ask questions, accept critique, and collaborate with Management and fellow growers to ensure ideal plant health. Understand and be able to fulfill all irrigation system operation requirements for Growers (feed vs clear lines, draining and refilling lines during cold, priming the pump when issues arise, monitoring the water tank levels, knowing which valves control which drippers and how long to run them, knowing how to operate the mister and all sprinklers, how to mix and apply feed and other amendments appropriately, etc.), as well as control of vents, shade, fans, doors, and air flow/temperature/humidity needs (including familiarity with automated system).

Pest Control/IPM Coordination :

Act as a key applicator of pesticides, fungicides, and growth regulators, performing needed calculations, determining appropriate equipment, and using proper safety protocol. The IPM Coordinator will conduct regular scouting and monitoring of all crops to identify pest populations, damage, and disease, research and plan best methods for prevention/treatment, and promptly report any problems and suggested solutions to the Operations Manager or Owner. They will be required to pass the test for a private pesticide license, regularly attend courses to maintain certification, research best chemicals for varied applications for Painters to stay up to date and as environmentally conscious as possible, and to ensure the SDS binder, chemical inventory, safety protocols and other computerized documentation is up to date and protocol being followed by all applicators.

Observe and Advise:

Help maintain the healthiest and best-looking crops possible -report to management any plants with pest or disease issues (along with suggested treatment plans), crops needing cleanup, and suggestions regarding plants not meeting retail standards or changes to future availability. If this sounds like a fit based on your experience and you’d like to join a group of passionate plant nerds, please submit your resume and a letter of interest to info@paintersgreenhouse.com!

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $19.00 per hour Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid time off

Schedule:

8 hour shift People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person