JOB SUMMARY 

This is an exciting opportunity to join an industry leader in the development of cutting edge Integrated Pest Management programs that are sustainable and effective in increasing the overall plant health on a 1,800 tree farm.  The Plant Health Supervisor works closely with the Plant Health Committee and Production Manager to develop proactive and reactive measures to address pest and disease pressure specific to the plant varieties, conditions and needs of each crop.  Will lead, train and assign all duties and functions to a team of Spray Technicians and Herbicide applicators ranging between 10-14 individuals using the logistic tools in place. Duties for this position include but are not limited to: Process development, efficiency seeking and improvement, administering and overseeing chemical and biological control applications, record keeping and data relay, REI reporting and spray notification protocol on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of the Plant Health Supervisor to oversee the procurement and distribution of related materials. The position is also responsible for pesticide safety training of staff and field labor as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Identify trees/palms/woody ornamental for pest, disease and nutritional symptoms

• Must have knowledge of and be able to work directly with pesticides/herbicides in ornamental horticulture.

• Must have knowledge of IPM protocols of pest and disease management. Knowledge of WPS and Agriculture REI and PPE requirements.

• Position requires the supervision and coordination of biological programs, applications, and implementation as determined by Plant Health Committee.

• Compile and organize work order reports for management and Plant Health Committee review.

• Use internal tools for rotation and efficiency tracking of applications and control measures used.

• Observational ability to monitor plant growth and behavior response to chemical applications and nutritional applications.

• Verify, track, identify trends, and keep record of pest and disease infestation.

• Follow- through in a timely manner of committees plans on plant health.

• Identify inefficiency and waste, formulate new protocol, and implement protocol.

• Position requires facilitating trials, testing, and experiments, with the assistance of the pest scout, as determined by the plant health committee

• Maintaining current and  up-to-date records on a daily basis. Records to include all chemical. SDS sheets, applications, equipment maintenance records, technician attendance and disciplinary records.

• Over see all the equipment and material needs of the technicians to perform their essential duties.  Assist, as needed, in the scheduling of preventative maintenance and repair of all equipment.

• Responsible for fully understanding and complying with the chemical and biological labeling as dictated by law.

• Develop and implement efficiency indicators and standards to increase efficiencies and accountability.

• All other duties assigned and special projects.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Maintenance, AG-Science, Forestry or related field. Or a minimum of 5 years experience in this position.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Proficient computer skills with working knowledge of Google programs,  MS Excel,  MS Access and work order software.

• Ability to work effectively and quickly under time constraints and exercise good judgment under pressure.

• Ability to manage a team to execute work orders and overall horticultural program as determined by the Plant Health Committee and based on calendar/ seasonal rotations.

• Ability to coach, train, promote, and discipline of all direct reports

• Encounters all challenges with a solution oriented approach to problem solving.

• Manage a team, with vastly differing schedules, to perform work with a workmanlike efficiency

• Able to work in a fast pace environment, and to adjust to change as frequently as needed

• Proactive, capable of multi tasking and trouble shooting, finding innovative solutions.

• FL Private Applicators Pesticide license required within the first year of employment.

• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.

Physical Demands

• Exposure to outside climate, including extreme heat and cold conditions.

• Independently lift objects not to exceed 50 lbs on a regular basis.

• Sit, stand, bend and walk for long periods of time.

• Ability to work extended hours during the day and work on weekends as needed.
   

REQUIRED LICENSES / HOURS OF WORK 

• Private Applicators License Florida (If no license, candidate must acquire a Private Applicators License within the first 180 days of employment.)
• ISA Certified Arborist or FNGLA Horticulture Professional a plus.
• Valid Driver’s License and clean MVR.
• Monday through Friday, start and end times vary depending on organizational needs and seasonality. Saturdays on a bi-weekly rotation. Present when teams are present and working.

NOTICE