1st Shift - Horticulture Spray Technician

Metrolina Greenhouses; Huntersville (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, NC is seeking a Spray Technician to manage pest control as an Assistant Grower. The role requires knowledge of crop diseases and insects, proper use of sprayers, injectors, and drenching equipment, and adherence to safety policies and REI guidelines.

You will apply pesticides by various methods, maintain equipment, record applications, and stay current on IPM strategies.

Qualifications

• Intermediate math skills to calculate tank mixes.
• Solid reading skills.
• Ability to communicate with the team.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and physical environment.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• High attention to detail and organization.
• Ability to identify irrigation needs for various crops.
• Flex hours during peak seasons as business needs arise.
• Comfort with basic science and math concepts.

Responsibilities

• Apply pesticides with various methods depending on crop and pesticide.
• Follow safety protocols including REI requirements.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of equipment daily.
• Ensure proper disposal of pesticides and compliance with rules.
• Maintain knowledge of equipment, chemicals, and spray techniques.
• Record all applications accurately.
• Ensure correct sections, areas, and crops are treated as scheduled.
• Identify pesticides and pest targets as used.
• Apply appropriate amounts by weight or volume.
• Adhere to PPE requirements.
• Facilitate trials on new products as requested.
• Scout with pest traps and yellow cards, record findings.
• Complete IPM reports for management review.
• Verify pest/disease trends and report timely.
• Receive and store biological products; coordinate with management.
• Apply biological products to crops and programs.
• Order biological products on time.
• May assist with pruning, weeding, and spacing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Results Driven

Safety

Integrity

Teamwork

Quality

Tools

Sprayers

Injectors

Drenching equipment

Job description

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have any direct supervisory or management responsibilities.

Competencies

• Results Driven
• Safety
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Quality

Position Summary

The Spray Technician is an Assistant Grower in charge of the pest control. A successful Spray Tech needs to have knowledge of most important diseases and insects that affect crops produced by Metrolina Greenhouses and the broad range of products used to prevent and treat them. They also will need to have full knowledge of the equipment used, such as sprayers, injectors, and drenching equipment. This job requires knowing all policies, procedures, and strategies to be effective and applied in a safe manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply pesticides with the TracFog, Hydraulic sprayers, injectors, drenching, or other specified methods depending on the crop and pesticide
• Follow all safety protocols and requirements, such as proper for REI (Re-entry Interval)
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of equipment, including but not limited to tractors, spray tanks, etc daily
• Ensure proper disposal of pesticides, follow all rules and regulations
• Maintain knowledge of equipment, chemicals, and sprays techniques
• Ensure all applications are properly recorded
• Ensure correct section, area, and crops are treat as scheduled or assigned
• Always ensure you have identified pesticides in use: Brand name or common name of pesticides, and pest to be controlled as target of the application
• Apply the proper amount of pesticide (or concentrate and amount of diluent) by weight or volume to the areas defined by the grower
• Ensure always abiding by PPE requirements
• Facilitate trials on new products prior to commercial use as requested
• Scout by placing and recording yellow cards or pest traps for pets and diseases
• Complete IPM reports for management review and action planning
• Verify pest and disease infestation trends, and ensure reported in a timely matter
• Receive biological products and store them in the designated areas and programsCoordinate with management on all biological programs and implementation
• Apply the respective biologics assigned to each crop and/or program
• Ensure biological product orders are placed on time
• May be asked to assist with facility pruning, weeding, spacing, etc
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Intermediate math skills in order to properly calculate tank mixes
• Solid reading skills
• Ability to communicate with the team
• Able to work in a fast-paced and physical environment
• Ability to work in a team environment
• High attention to detail and organization
• Ability to accurately identify irrigation needs for various crops
• Ability to flex hours/schedule during peak seasons as business needs arise
• Comfort working with basic science and math concepts

Preferred Qualifications

• Horticulture education or related field
• Greenhouse, nursery, or agricultural experience
• Ability to recognize electrical/mechanical issues
• Have a thorough working knowledge of greenhouse machinery and processes
• 6+ months assistant growing or handling and applying pesticides experience

Job Setting & Physical Demands

This position is primarily outdoors but may be required to work between locations and within an indoor office environment for administrative duties, which may require the use of computers and standard office equipment. Fluency to read, write, and understand the English language is required. Must be able to work in all outdoor elements, including dust and allergens. Position requires long-term ability for standing, sitting, squatting, stooping, bending, reaching, and twisting on a regular basis to fulfill essential duties. Ability to use fine motor skills, such as pinching, squeezing, and pulling. Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds repetitively for full shift without assistance. Candidate must have the ability to certify and operate all machinery necessary within the department and across the facility, including but not limited to tractor operation. Candidates must also be able to utilize all chemicals required within the Horticulture department as assigned and follow all safety protocols. Candidates must have the ability to get certified and utilize all required PPE, such as spray suits, respirators, etc. Schedules for this position varies based on business needs. Our Huntersville location has weekend requirements during peak season, and our York location schedule may vary from early shifts during cooler months to earlier shifts during warmer months.

Disclaimer

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of people assigned to this position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. All employees may be required to perform activities outside of their normal job responsibilities from time to time as needed.

EOE Statement

EOE - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.