Horticultural Assistant

RES is looking for a Horticultural Assistant with at least 2+ years of experience for our Baldwin City, KS office.

The mission: The Horticultural Assistant will assist in a variety of horticultural activities at the direction of a supervisor or team leader. Carrying out all tasks involved with containerized native plant and seed propagation, production, growing and inventory control from start to finish.

What your day-to-day might look like?

• Works closely and cooperatively with other leadership at the Growing Center to achieve the goals of the Growing Center
• Oversees, schedules, and coordinates care and maintenance tasks of containerized plants within acceptable QA/QC standards
• Execute and suggest timely integrated pest management control methods and fertilization regimes as needed.
• Recommend methods for improving sustainability of growing practices. Implement agreed upon methods as approved.
• Supervises a transplant crew and/or plant maintenance crew
• Execute propagation and transplanting activities in the greenhouse environment.
• Perform care and maintenance of containerized plants.
• Oversees relocation of stock.
• Performs seed sowing and other production activities.
• Scout for pests, diseases, and nutrient imbalances of potted stock and field production plants on a routine basis.
• Prepare and send pest / disease samples to lab for proper diagnosis.
• Mix and apply fertilizers, pesticides, beneficials and other agents to implement plant health care practices.
• Diligently record and communicate directly with Plant Production Manager concerning plant health care problems.
• Oversee sanitation, housekeeping, and safety practices of all holding zones and grounds
• Oversee set up and winterization of irrigation system for potted materials.
• Train workers on pesticide safety to ensure Worker Protection Standard laws are abided.
• Suggest changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency of work team; and, study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency of workers and information tracking systems.
• Assist with plant order filling and inventory control tasks as needed
• Perform inventory counts and records maintenance.
• May conduct or assist with harvest of seed and plant materials.
• May perform seed processing, especially but not limited to seed required for propagation.
• Has dotted line accountability to the Native Perennials Manager.
• Carries out work in a safe manner in full accordance with safety guidelines. Immediately ceases work if unsafe conditions are identified. Corrects and reports unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Weekend and after hours are expected seasonally.

Qualifications

Required:

• B.S. degree in horticulture, agriculture, ecology, or related science field; Or 2+ years in greenhouse, nursery or horticultural experience or training; Equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable.
• Ability to read a limited number of two- and three-syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers.
• Ability to print and speak simple sentences in English.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• A Valid Driver’s License, may be required
• Ability to obtain a Fed Med Card, may be required.
• Forklift License may be required (would be trained here by our corporate trainer).

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

RES is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.