Nursery Grower

Briggs Nursery; Elma (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Briggs Nursery in Washington is seeking a Grower Associate responsible for assisting in growing and finishing containerized plants from transplant through shipping or potting into larger containers. The role focuses on daily water management, crop health checks, environment control, scheduling inputs, and adherence to SOPs.

After one year, supervision of a crew may be possible. Strong attendance and English fluency are required.

Qualifications

• Must be self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attendance history is required.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently; Spanish is a plus.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.
• Strong drive, adaptability, and teamwork to achieve goals.
• Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Walk daily water calls.
• Submit a daily watering schedule for irrigators.
• Perform routine crop inspections.
• Monitor crop pH and EC levels.
• Assist in managing growing environment – heating, shading, venting, etc.
• Assist in scheduling liquid, dry fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide applications.
• Assist with trials on soils and soil amendments; fertilization, top-dresses, and chemical application to improve crop yield.
• Assist in the implementation of winterization protocols.
• Monitor and report back any plant-loss or plant-mix problems.
• Review new locations to assure current SOPs are met.
• Report plant maintenance requirements and assist in data entry and scheduling to implement maintenance.
• Ensure plants meet target grades and projected finish dates.
• Report losses that will affect sales or production numbers.
• Report issues involving weeds, insects, and diseases.
• Report necessary repairs & modifications to the growing environments/structures.
• Able to supervise a crew after the first year.

Skills

Self-motivated

Problem-solving

Excellent attendance

English fluency

Spanish a plus

Strong organizational skills

Team collaboration

Safety-conscious

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field

Associate’s Degree in Horticulture or related field + 1 year of experience

3 years of nursery experience

Tools

Inventory software

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Email

Job description

This position is responsible for assisting in the growing and finishing of containerized plants. Responsibility begins once plant material is transplanted and continues throughout all growing and maintenance phases; completion occurs when the plants are shipped to the customer or are potted into larger containers.

Growing responsibilities

• 1. Walk for daily water calls.
• 2. Submit a daily watering schedule for irrigators.
• 3. Perform routine inspections of crops as directed.
• 4. Monitor crop pH and EC levels.
• 5. Assist in management of growing environment – heating, shading, venting, etc.
• 6. Assist in scheduling liquid, dry fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide applications.
• 7. Assist with trials on soils and soil amendments; fertilization, top-dresses, and chemical application to improve crop yield.
• 8. Assist in the implementation of winterization protocols.
• 9. Monitor and report back any plant-loss or plant-mix problems.
• 10. Review new locations to assure current SOPs are met.
• 11. Report plant maintenance requirements and assist in data entry and scheduling to implement maintenance.
• 12. Ensure plants meet target grades and projected finish dates.
• 13. Report losses that will affect sales or production numbers.
• 14. Report issues involving weeds, insects, and diseases.
• 15. Report necessary repairs & modifications to the growing environments/structures.
• 16. Able to supervise a crew after the first year.

Qualification Requirements

• · Be self-motivated.
• · Have demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills.
• · Excellent attendance history.
• · Must be able to work a minimum of 40 hours a week.
• · Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently, although knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
• · Must demonstrate a strong sense of drive and commitment to achieving team goals.
• · Be adaptable and flexible; able to maintain focus during multiple and changing priorities.
• · Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal or no supervision.
• · Show initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness in performance of job duties.
• · Functions with a positive attitude as a team member in fulfilling nursery objectives.
• · Safety is always the highest priority. Must be able to work safely.

Required education and experience

• ·Must have one of the following:
• ·Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field
• ·Or, Associate’s Degree in Horticulture or related field + 1 years of experience
• ·Or, 3 years of nursery experience
• ·A proven ability and interest in plant growing.
• ·Computer skills should be at an intermediate level.
• ·Must have a working knowledge of computer programs including inventory, spreadsheets, word processing, and email.
• ·Supervisory experience a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as the department handbook, work assignments and safety rules.