Integrated Pest Management

Job descriptionDepartment:  Integrated Pest ManagementJob Status:  Full TimeFLSA Status:  Non-ExemptReports To:  Operations ManagerGrade/Level:  4Amount of Travel Required:  May be required (seminars and/or random drug test).Work Schedule: Regular: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Schedule varies depending on workload and season.Other: Weekends and overtime are mandatory based on seasonal department needs.Minimum Age : Must be 18 or olderPre-placement and Random Drug Tests : YesPOSITION SUMMARYPerform Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for ornamental crops in a Greenhouse/Nursery environment. Responsibilities will include all aspects of IPM, with a focus on weed management, sanitation practices and soil testing. Responsible for weed control inside greenhouses and around nursery structures; posting and un-posting chemical application areas according to EPA and company standards, understanding pesticide labels and MSDS/SDS; and maintaining the company's spray records. Many tasks are regular and recurring and involve a moderate degree of complexity, under the supervision of the Operations Manager. Basic knowledge regarding plants and how they grow is required; more advanced abilities to diagnose and recognize plant pests, diseases and nutritional deficiencies is preferable but will also be part of on-the-job training. Private Pesticide Applicator license also preferred, but alternately may be obtained within 12 months of hire.PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESApplication of Chemicals: fill out all required paperwork; calculate, measure and mix chemical for application; post and un-post all chemical applications areas as required by the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS).Apply herbicides in and outside greenhouses; apply shade compound to greenhouse roofs.Sanitize/Disinfect greenhouses (floors, walls and benches) between crop rotations for algae and disease prevention.Perform in-house soil tests; prepare tissue, media or water samples for lab testing.Set greenhouses into and out of spray mode (manually or via software controls).Dispose of extra chemicals, rinsate & empty containers (after spray applications), in accordance with the label and DEQ requirements.Perform basic maintenance tasks (such as: changing the viton disk beneath the pressure regulator, filling oil on the small engines, replacing O-rings, replacing wands or hoses on the backpack sprayers, replacing fuel lines on the Pulsfogger, etc). Record performed maintenance without supervisor's assistance.Maintain Fertilizer Injectors and Calibration at regular maintenance intervals; keep fertilizer stock tanks filled.Maintain monthly supply inventories, record reorder requirements. Authorized and able to write Purchase Orders for products.Assist in scouting for pest population and disease, help diagnose nutritional deficiencies; assist in application of biological pest controls.Supervision and training: assist in review and documentation of pesticide labels and MSDS/SDS training provided to other employees; ability to convey WPS requirements to others; assist in training and overseeing seasonal chemical applicators.Operate spray and/or injector equipment and other assigned vehicles with training/certification (such as forklift). Able to train employees in the use of equipment and tools. Check and record the conditions of all vehicles, report any problems to the supervisor immediately. Fuel vehicles, as necessary. Safeguard all department equipment/tools and return to proper storage.General housekeeping.Other related work duties required by supervisor.Adhere to all company policies. Communicate effectively to appropriate chain of command between IPM Department and other departments. Promote company safety culture and policies. Ensure employees are appropriately using required PPE for tasks. Report safety issues to supervisor.ESSENTIAL SKILLSAble to work independently, organize and prioritize daily tasks. Work well and communicate with other employees and supervisors.General ability to take things apart, assess, and put them back together again.Able to communicate in English to provide direction and communication within the various departments. Intermediate reading and writing skills; ability to correctly interpret product labels and MSDS. Moderate Spanish communication skills (particularly with safety phrases) is preferred.Intermediate math skills: accurately calculate square footage, correct PPM or ounces/gallon for varying concentrations of chemicals, mix appropriate amounts and complete all paperwork correctly.Intermediate computer skills. Able to input and maintain department databases, use word processing, spreadsheet and industry-specific software.Understand basic scientific principles and terminology, plant characteristics and growth habits. Understand growing conditions and how they interact with pest and disease management. Learn to diagnose common pests, diseases, and nutritional problems; identify common weeds, growth habits, reproductive characteristics and their ability to vector pests and diseases.Ability to operate all vehicles. Demonstrate safe working habits in all tasks to include reporting all accidents, property damage, problems with vehicles and equipment immediately to supervisor.Mechanical skills to operate and maintain equipment.EDUCATIONMinimum High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED); College Graduate preferred.EXPERIENCEAt least two to four years' experience working in a related field with nursery production or plant knowledge and have the skills of a level 3 employee or have equivalent Production experience at another Greenhouse business.CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:Oregon Private Pesticide Applicator License PreferredJob Type: Full-timePay: From $21.24 per hourExpected hours: 40 per weekBenefits:401(k) matchingDental insuranceEmployee assistance programEmployee discountHealth insuranceLife insurancePaid time offVision insuranceSchedule:8 hour shiftMonday to FridayWeekends as neededYear round workExperience:Plant knowledge or Pest Management: 2 years (Required)

Created: 2025-01-14