Orchard and Groundskeeper

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Sandy Ridge, NC, US

8 days ago Requisition

Reports To: Director of Ground and Infrastructure Maintenance

Position Overview (Full-Time, Hourly):
Carrollwood Farms is seeking an experienced Orchard & Groundskeeper to join our team. This position is primarily responsible for the care, health, appearance, and productivity of the orchards at Carrollwood Farms, while also participating in grounds maintenance throughout the property. The successful candidate will have knowledge of fruit and nut tree care, including pruning, fertilizing, pest and disease management, spraying, general orchard maintenance, and how to install orchard trees.

As Carrollwood Farms develops and ultimately opens to the public, this position will also have opportunities to interact with guests and contribute to the presentation of the farm.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary team member responsible for maintaining the orchards at Carrollwood Farms. The farm currently has three orchards, two apple orchards and a third containing peach and apple trees. A pecan orchard is planned, along with additional apple orchards.
• Provide full life cycle care of the orchards and their trees, including dormant-season horticultural oil applications; appropriate pesticide applications during the growing season; fertilization; dormant and summer pruning; pest and disease monitoring; and other practices (including IPM) when necessary to maintain tree health, structure, appearance, and productivity.
• Maintain accurate pesticide application records and properly manage required signage re-entry intervals, and other pesticide application requirements.
• Communicate with other members of the farm team to coordinate orchard spraying.
• Participate in the layout, planting, establishment, and ongoing care of new orchards.
• Maintain accurate orchard maps identifying tree locations and varieties.
• Maintain harvest records, including harvest dates, varieties, and annual yields.
• Maintain the overall appearance of the orchards and surrounding areas, including mowing, line trimming, mulching, fence maintenance, weed control, debris removal, and other groundskeeping tasks.
• Work with horticulture consultant to improve orchard health and productivity.
• When orchard care is up-to-date, work as part of the grounds team on other property maintenance projects including mowing, line trimming, operating a material screener, cutting and processing firewood, maintaining trails, and other projects.
• Participate in the care and maintenance of shrubbery growth and propagation in the hoop house.
• As required by weather conditions, seasonal priorities, or at the direction of ownership and management, assist with other farm and property projects beyond the normal scope of this position
• As Carrollwood Farms opens to the public, interact professionally with guests.

Qualifications:

• Pesticide applicator's license preferred, or willingness and ability to obtain one the appropriate license within a timeframe established by management.
• Commitment to following all applicable regulations, label requirement, safety procedures, recordkeeping requirements, and re-entry restrictions associated with pesticide application.
• Working knowledge of apple, peach, pecan, and other fruit and nut trees.
• Experience with dormant-season and growing-season pruning of orchard trees.
• Knowledge of orchard pest, disease, and and fertility management.
• Ability to identify common signs of disease, insect damage, nutrient deficiencies, and other conditions affecting orchard health.
• Ability to operate tractors and attachments including a jet sprayer.
• Abil…