Seasonal Grow Technician

The Pizzo Group; Leland (MS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pizzo Group is seeking a Grow Technician to join our outdoor nursery team. You will grow native plants from seed to liners, maintain health and quality, and ensure strong customer service through a professional onsite presence.

This seasonal role requires 40+ hours per week outdoors, with responsibilities spanning irrigation, pest management, and equipment operation. Safety gear is mandatory and compliance with regulations is essential.

Qualifications

• Reliable transportation to work.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week.
• A passion for the outdoors, nature, or plants.
• Ability to follow oral/written directions.
• Develop effective working relationships with other employees.

Responsibilities

• Water, feed and apply amendments to nursery plants.
• Maintain plant height with string trimmers and hedge trimmers.
• Apply rice hulls (mulch) and shade cloth as needed.
• Monitor systems and equipment in all growing areas.
• Abide by all state and local safety regulations.
• Utilize and maintain required safety equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week.
• Apply fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide & pesticide applications and scheduling in propagation areas.
• Assist with seed harvest & cleaning.
• Maintain plant height for shipping and quality control.
• Cooperate with other departments regarding irrigation and spray schedule.
• Monitor growing conditions and discuss changes in humidity, moisture, temperature and cultivation procedures with grow team to ensure conformance with quality control standards.
• Regularly inspect crops to ascertain conditions and existence of pests or disease.
• Skid steer loader operation.
• Communicate with Grow Manager regarding losses or IPM issues.
• Application and maintenance of beneficial insect populations.
• Keep track of pesticide/herbicide inventory and communicate with grow manager for chemical inventory needs.
• Deep clean grow areas in between growing seasons.
• Over-wintering preparation and maintenance
• Inspect growing structures daily and monitor for damage and repair
• Maintain heating/cooling systems in propagation areas.
• Maintain application equipment and notify grow manager of inventory needs.
• Respirator operation and maintenance.
• Maintain cutting equipment and communicate with grow manager for inventory needs.
• Weed management
• Laying and repairing ground cloth.
• Assist with covering and uncovering hoop bouses.
• Set up hoses for production to water in newly sown transplants.
• Unload deliveries of building and growing materials.
• Transplanting
• Seeding
• Learn native plant species and their characteristics

Skills

Plant ID

Reliable transport

Outdoor enthusiast

Directions literacy

Team collaboration

Weatherproof

40+ hours per week

Education

Illinois pesticide operator license

Tools

Skid steer loader operation

Job description

Work in a dynamic, outdoor environment to help us grow and restore nature!

The Grow Technician grows native plants from seed to finished liners. Work as member of the Pizzo Nursery team striving to achieve high standards regarding facility appearance and quality control. At Pizzo, we strive for an exceptional level of customer service by maintaining a professional attitude when interacting with clients.

Key Responsibilities & Qualifications:

• Water, feed and apply amendments to nursery plants.
• Maintain plant height with string trimmers and hedge trimmers.
• Apply rice hulls (mulch) and shade cloth as needed.
• Monitor systems and equipment in all growing areas.
• Abide by all state and local safety regulations.
• Utilize and maintain required safety equipment
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week
  

This is a Seasonal Role ending in mid to late August/September, depending on seasonal conditions and when you return to classes. All other responsibilities listed are occasional and completed as needed to fulfill nursery needs:

Growing Operations

• Has or can obtain Illinois pesticide operator license.
• Apply fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide & pesticide applications and scheduling in propagation areas.
• Assist with seed harvest & cleaning.
• Maintain plant height for shipping and quality control.
• Cooperate with other departments regarding irrigation and spray schedule.
• Monitor growing conditions and discuss changes in humidity, moisture, temperature and cultivation procedures with grow team to ensure conformance with quality control standards.
• Regularly inspect crops to ascertain conditions and existence of pests or disease.
• Skid steer loader operation.
• Communicate with Grow Manager regarding losses or IPM issues

• Application and maintenance of beneficial insect populations.
• Keep track of pesticide/herbicide inventory and communicate with grow manager for chemical inventory needs.

Facility/Equipment Management:

• Deep clean grow areas in between growing seasons.
• Over-wintering preparation and maintenance
• Inspect growing structures daily and monitor for damage and repair
• Maintain heating/cooling systems in propagation areas.
• Maintain application equipment and notify grow manager of inventory needs.
• Respirator operation and maintenance.
• Maintain cutting equipment and communicate with grow manager for inventory needs.

General Nursery Maintenance

• Weed management
• Laying and repairing ground cloth.
• Assist with covering and uncovering hoop bouses.
• Set up hoses for production to water in newly sown transplants.
• Unload deliveries of building and growing materials.

Assist in plant production and other tasks including:

• Transplanting
• Seeding
• Learn native plant species and their characteristics
  

Personal protective equipment

All employees will be required to wear and follow all PPE and dress code requirements, including:

• Closed toes shoes
• Shirts that cover shoulders and arms.
• Long pants, denim or equivalent. No leggings.
• Long hair must be restrained.
• No hanging earrings, lanyards, keychains or other flowing accessories that can get caught in machinery.

Qualifications:

• Reliable transportation to work.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week
• Basic plant identification skills (native and invasive species).
• A passion for the outdoors, nature, or plants! We work outdoors!
• Ability to follow oral/written directions.
• Develop effective working relationships with other employees.

Expected Physical Demands

These are considered essential functions of the position:

Exert up to one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) of force occasionally, up to fifty pounds (50 lbs.) of force frequently, and/or up to twenty pounds (20 lbs.) of force constantly to move or carry objects. Frequent bending and lifting from ground level. Ability to work in the heat and the outdoors.

Expected Work Conditions:

We work in a dynamic, busy nursery that has uneven surfaces, gravel walkways and moving machinery. This job is outdoors, in nature, throughout the year. The job may yield exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by the weather. Additionally, expect exposure to prescribed fire, contact with water or other liquids, exposure to loud and/or extended noises, and exposure to smoke, mud, sun, and dust.

Benefits:

For eligible full-time employees, our comprehensive benefits package includes competitive pay, generous health care options, extensive paid leave, retirement plans, and continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring our team members are supported both in and out of the workplace.

EEO

Pizzo & Associates LTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by applicable laws.

Safety:

Safety is always Pizzo's number one goal. As an employee, you have a legal right to a safe and healthy workplace. At Pizzo, you are asked to read the workplace safety and health posters and comply with all applicable OSHA and Illinois safety standards. Our employees follow all lawful employer safety and health rules and regulations and wear/use the required protective equipment while working. You may be asked to join our health and safety committee, provide guidance on-site from a H/S perspective, or render first aid. We all share the responsibility of making sure everyone goes home to their family safely every day!

Please Note:

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills and due to the changing nature of the job is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice. This position is non-exempt based on FLSA laws. The Pizzo Group uses E-Verify and third-party background check services during the hiring process. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Our team works together Respectfully & Cooperatively with Enthusiasm & Integrity