Training or Internship

CETUSA; Grand Haven (MI); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cost-free housing

Job summary

CETUSA is offering an Internship/Trainee opportunity in Grand Haven, MI. Compensation is $17.50 per hour with 40 hours per week and on-site housing provided at no cost. The role involves pest scouting, pest-tracking tools evaluation, handling biologicals, and greenhouse inventory management.

Applicants should be plant science undergraduates/graduates or recent graduates (within 12 months). Trainee track requires foreign credentials and related experience, or 5+ years in the field.

Qualifications

• Must be a plant science undergraduate/graduate student or recent graduate within 12 months of graduation.
• Trainee program requires degree or certificate from foreign institution and at least 1 year related work experience outside the United States OR 5+ years in the field.
• Must be dependable, hardworking, and able to lift/move at least 30 pounds.
• Proficient with computer systems including inventory tracking databases, Excel, and Word.
• Spanish-speaking applicants highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform weekly scouting (visual and microscopes) of crops to monitor pests or diseases.
• Evaluate pest-tracking tools such as yellow sticky cards and pheromone traps.
• Organize and mix biological organisms arriving weekly.
• Apply biological organisms to targeted sites.
• Maintain and update inventory of plant liners/trays/pots.
• Monitor soil water levels during high temperatures.
• Perform analytical tests (pH, EC, Chlorine).
• Collect plant tissue samples for off-site analysis.
• Track movement and survival of plants between production departments.
• Assist in daily record keeping of greenhouse labor hours.

Skills

Spanish-speaking

Computer literacy

Education

Plant science undergraduate/graduate

Foreign credential with related experience

5+ years experience in plant science

Tools

Excel

Word

Inventory tracking databases

Job description

Start Date: March 2027
Training Duration: 12 weeks – 18 months
Hours: 40 hours per week
Compensation:$17.50 per hour
Housing: on-site, cost-free housing
Number of Positions Offered: 1

Host Company Description:

The host company is a family-owned wholesale nursery specializing in propagation and production of woody plant liners, flowering shrubs, evergreens, vines, and small trees. Their greenhouses, stock, and research facilities supply growers throughout North America. Participants can enjoy the lakeside town of Grand Haven, Michigan by exploring Lakeshore Trails, viewing the Musical Fountain, and enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, paddling, and cruising on Lake Michigan.

Position Description:

• Perform weekly scouting (visual and using dissecting microscopes) of crops to monitor for unwanted pests or diseases (foliar nematodes, thrips, two-spotted spider mites, etc.)
• Evaluate pest-tracking tools such as yellow sticky cards and pheromone traps
• Organize and mix biological organisms that arrive on a weekly basis
• Apply biological organisms to pre-determined target sites
• Maintain and update physical inventory of plant liners/trays/pots across departments
• Monitor liner and container soil water levels during extended periods of high temperatures
• Perform analytical tests (pH, EC levels, Chlorine concentration, etc)
• Collect plant tissue samples for further analysis at off-site laboratories
• Track movement and survival rate of plants that move between production departments
• Assist in daily record keeping of greenhouse crew labor hours
• To apply for the Internship program, applicants must be plant science or related field undergraduate/graduate students OR be recent graduates who begin program within 12 months of the graduation date.
• To apply for the Trainee program, applicants must have either a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least 1 year of prior related work experience in the plant science or related field acquired outside the United States OR 5+ years of experience in this field.
• Must be dependable, hardworking, and able to lift, carry, or move at least 30 pounds.
• Skilled with computer systems (inventory tracking databases, Excel, and Word)
• Spanish-speaking applicants highly preferred