Grower Technician

Walters Gardens, Inc.; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

Wellness Program

Employee Discounts

Paid Time Off

Paid Medical Leave

Company Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Counseling Services

Employee Events

Job summary

Walters Gardens, Inc. is seeking a Grower Technician to support the Section Grower and Lead Grower in producing high-quality plants in our Michigan greenhouses. The role emphasizes irrigation management, fertilization planning, sanitation, and daily crop monitoring to ensure safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

The position requires physical stamina, ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and weekend availability. Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred; experience in horticulture is essential.

Qualifications

• 2 years of horticulture education or experience
• Basic organizational and math skills
• Ability to be on your feet for 9 hours each day
• Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50lbs)
• Available to work on weekends as needed
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Company Paid Short and Long-Term Disability
• Option to Purchase additional Life Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Discounts on Company Products
• Family and Medical Leave
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Medical Leave (PML)
• Company Paid Holidays
• Employee Incentive Program
• Employee Events
• Education Reimbursement
• On-site Financial and Mental Health Counseling Services

Responsibilities

• Monitor crops daily to determine when to irrigate plants
• Operate, maintain, and schedule irrigation systems
• Communicate with Section Grower and Lead Grower daily
• Participate in Friday, weekend, and holiday watering schedules
• Read, assess and coordinate weekly media testing and water sampling
• Schedule and apply fertilizer and/or other nutrients weekly
• Learn fertilizer blends and rates
• Scout weekly for algae, liverwort, and weeds
• Apply sanitation techniques to control algae and liverwort
• Remove and destroy all weeds and liverwort
• Keep greenhouse aisles and floor matting free of debris
• Make herbicide applications around the greenhouses
• Participate in chemical applications of plant growth regulators, fungicides, and insecticides
• Monitor crops and coordinate mowing/pruning
• Observe and communicate pest/disease issues to IPM Team, Section Grower, and Lead Grower
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Horticulture experience

Organizational skills

Stamina

Physical strength

Weekend availability

Bilingual English/Spanish

Job description

Job Title: Grower Technician

Department: Greenhouse

Supervisor: Lead Grower

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

PRIMARY PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:

The Grower Technician assists the Section Grower and Lead Grower in ensuring all plants produced in the greenhouses at Walters Gardens are grown to the highest quality standard and in a safe, efficient, and economical way.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Moisture Management

• Monitor crops daily to determine when to irrigate plants based on growing environment, plant needs, and moisture levels
• Learn different varieties, sizes, season cycles, and water patterns to achieve a proper and even moisture level throughout crops
• Operate, maintain, and schedule all irrigation systems
• Communicate with Section Grower and Lead Grower for specific water, environmental, and special application needs daily and before weekends/holidays
• Participate in Friday, weekend, and holiday watering schedules

Fertility Management

• Read, assess and coordinate weekly media testing and water sampling
• Schedule and apply fertilizer and/or other nutrients weekly based on media testing results
• Learn and understand the different fertilizer blends and rates
• Choose between fertilizer blends and rates for optimal plant nutrition based on media testing and water sampling results
• Learn the season cycles and sales programs in order to keep crops on schedule

Sanitation

• Scout weekly for algae, liverwort, and weeds in and around the greenhouses
• Apply sanitation techniques to control algae and liverwort growth
• Remove and destroy all weeds and liverwort as they are observed
• Keep greenhouse aisles and floor matting free of debris
• Make herbicide applications around the greenhouses as needed

Additional Duties

• Participate in chemical applications of plant growth regulators, fungicides, and insecticides
• Monitor crops and coordinate mowing/pruning as needed
• Assist with mowing and moving of plants as neededObserve and communicate any pest and disease issues to the IPM Team, Section Grower, and Lead Grower immediately
• Communicate any other problems or concerns to Section Grower and/or Lead Grower immediately
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• 2 years of horticulture education or experience
• Basic organizational and math skills
• Ability to be on your feet for 9 hours each day
• Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50lbs)
• Available to work on weekends as needed
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Company Paid Short and Long-Term Disability
• Option to Purchase additional Life Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Discounts on Company Products
• Family and Medical Leave
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Medical Leave (PML)
• Company Paid Holidays
• Employee Incentive Program
• Employee Events
• Education Reimbursement
• On-site Financial and Mental Health Counseling Services

Walters Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer.