Seasonal Technician Job Leland Mississippi USA,Outdoor/Nature/Animal Care

Position: Seasonal Grow Technician
Location: Leland

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…