Job Description
Growing To Serve You
We exist to bring beauty and joy to our communities through our high-quality plants.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The main responsibility of the Assistant Head Grower is to support the Head Grower in the production of healthy plants. This role is a hands-on position performing as a Grower and supporting the Head Grower in plant growth based on planning, preparation, oversight, and maintenance of greenhouse plant production. The Assistant Head Grower will have direct reports providing day to day instructions to the Growing Team with watering, ferritization, and chemical (mixed, application, & rotation) guidelines and techniques.
SAFETY:
Safety is a top priority at Dan and Jerry’s Greenhouse, you will take an active leadership role in promoting a safe working culture. We want all employees, customers, and guests to Arrive Safe, Be Safe and Leave Safe.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (comprehensive, but not limited to):
- Support the Head Grower by providing day-to-day instructions to the growers in the following areas:
o Watering techniques - both manual & automated
o Follow directions from head grower on crop treatment
o Spray crop, fertilizer and pesticide applications.
o Testing and tracking water and soil samples.
o Monitoring soil moisture, plant hydration levels, and crop stress indicators.
o Keep Head Grower informed of status of all growing activities.
- Provide greenhouse technical support:
o Mix chemicals & fertilizers for growers. Record and report on usage and reports shortages to Head Grower for ordering.
o Make sure tables and floors space are disinfected between crops.
o Ensure greenhouses are clean and report safety issues.
o Help evaluate and correct any plant spacing issues,
o Determine mist schedules based on crop varieties and roots.
o Watch over chemicals for propagation.
o Supervise and monitor plug growth regulations – set standard schedule and timing.
- Work side by side with the growing team to produce plants that meet the specifications.
o Assess watering needs, hand water and adjust irrigation systems accordingly to maintain plant health.
o Obtain plant measurements and soil measurements to track growth progress.
o Proactively scout for bugs and plant pests using sticky cards and crop inspection.
o Apply fertilizer and pesticides as needed (with a valid pesticide license).
- Train, mentor, and supervise growers.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Preferred: college/vocational courses in horticulture/greenhouse Management
- 4+ years of greenhouse grower or horticulture experience.
- Experience working with irrigation systems and manual watering practices preferred.
- Pesticide applicator license required or willingness to obtain.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Demonstrates a strong work ethic, flexible with work hours working rotational nights and weekends, and be available when necessary.
- Demonstrated ownership for decisions and actions; facilitates accountability.
- Ability to effectively work autonomously while keeping everyone informed.
- Fanatical about details and follow through.
- Practical, pragmatic, hardworking and committed.
The qualifications listed above are guidelines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to perform occasional to continuous repetitive motion while walking, standing, sitting, distinguishing colors, lifting, and carrying objects up to 50 pounds. Will need to apply pesticides in Hazmat Personal Protective Equipment in temperatures that can exceed 110 degrees.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / TRAVEL:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically, those in this or comparable roles will spend most of their time working side-by-side employees in a production and greenhouse environment with few physical hazards. The business is seasonal, and environments can at times be dusty, warm, and humid.