Head Grower

Native Green Grow (NG2) is a Tribally owned Hydroponic Greenhouse located in Parshall, North Dakota. This facility is an ecologically sensitive project that grows vegetables utilizing state of the art hydroponic methods.

Supervision

This position will be supervised by the General Manager of the facility. This position will supervise and direct assistant grower positions and the general greenhouse labor pool.

Position Description

The head grower is responsible for all aspects of plant production and maintenance of the greenhouse environment. This position requires an understanding of crop production cycles and industry-standard techniques. The head grower must have horticultural knowledge of the crops in production, experience with crop fertilization scheduling, and experience optimizing a greenhouse environmental control system. The head grower must be an efficient communicator, and is responsible for training greenhouse workers. 

Responsibilities

• Selecting the crops and varieties to be grown, and plant position assignments. 

• Determining the crop cycles, including the seed dates, projected first harvest dates, and crop removal dates. 

• Creating a schedule for greenhouse employees, and managing the horticultural labor demands. 

• Overseeing the execution of seeding, seedling management, then transplanting.

• Preparing the greenhouse space for transplants, including adding growbags, irrigation, and fertilizer preparation. 

• Managing the irrigation system, including scheduling of fertilization. 

• Creating an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) plan pre-production.

• Setup and maintenance of computerized crop monitoring systems and data storage.

• Performing crop walks to spot pest and disease issues. Understand the most common pest and disease cycles for each crop to anticipate problems and aid with early treatment.

• Daily review of the development and growing of the plants in the greenhouses and identify plant needs and indications of disease.

• Daily review and adjustments of the strategies for climate (Ventilation, Temperature, CO2, HR, VPD and Curtains) and irrigation management according to the specific crops needs using the automated systems available at the facility.

• Weekly review of water analysis results for Feed, Drain and Slab, to establish adequate level of elements in the fertilizer mix.

• Daily review of pH, EC and drainage percentage to make effective adjustments in fertilization according to the crops needs.

• Review the Pests and Diseases Monitoring data and establish the strategies for Pests and Diseases Management.

• Calculate the proper doses and spray volumes for pesticides applications.

• Monitor the effectiveness of the strategies used for the pests and diseases management.

• Operate and maintain all the operational equipment used in a greenhouse environment including irrigation, fertilization, weed and pest monitoring and control, etc.

• Conduct a weekly Crop Registration to generate growing trends and accurate production projections.

• Determine the appropriate time for each Crop Maintenance activity, and ensure that the jobs are correctly done properly and timely.

• Calculate and purchase in a timely manner all the supplies needed for the greenhouse operation such as Seeds, Plants, Slabs, Fertilizer, Pesticides, Bio-controls, and any other supply used in the Growing Process.

• Record, analyze and present the data resulting for trials or research taking place in the Greenhouses.

• Respond and resolve Systems Alarms on a timely manner.

• Be an active professional seeking for information and advice that could lead to improve processes, increase yields and obtain better product quality year after year, keeping a cost effectiveness approach.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum 5-years of experience as a Grower in a high-tech glass greenhouse environment.

• Familiarity with Priva greenhouse control computer software.

• Familiarity with computer software including Microsoft Word and Excel

• Must have a strong understanding of plant growth and interaction with varying environmental conditions and requirements.

• Must be familiar with horticultural nomenclature.

• Ability to communicate effectively (written, oral and spoken) in English; additional languages (i.e. Spanish, will be considered an asset).

• Must understand the processes and the objectives pursued by the Performance Programs to be an active trainer for the Labor Supervisors and the general workers.

• Must work closely with the Priva Clerk in order to keep the system updated.

• Must be committed to be an active leader of the work team, planning and directing all the activities in the Greenhouses in an organized and efficient manner, establishing schedules and personnel needs, communicating the work plan daily to Labor Supervisors and ensuring that they carry out the work plan with success, efficiently and timely.

• Must manage the offshore workers schedule to ensure the crop is supplied with the proper amount of personnel through the year.

• Must conduct several meetings through the year to explain performance trends, motivate employees and address company’s expectations about performance and quality.

• Maintain high standards of conduct and professionalism and lead the team to success.

Qualifications/ Experience/Education:

• Must have Post-secondary education, ideally in the Horticulture, Plant Science, Greenhouse Engineering or related life science fields.

• A Pesticide Applicators License (any state) with the ability to maintain a current North Dakota Pesticide Applicators License.

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift, full-time.

• Weekend availability

Greenhouse Maintenance Technician/ CHP Operator

Native Green Grow (NG2) is a Tribally owned Hydroponic Greenhouse located in Parshall, North Dakota. This facility is an ecologically sensitive project that grows vegetables utilizing state of the art hydroponic methods.

Supervision

This position will be supervised by the General Manager of the facility. This position is not a supervisory position.

Position Description

The primary responsibility for the greenhouse maintenance technician will be to operate the CHP and boiler plant. The main areas of responsibility include operations, maintenance, administration and coordination. They will assist in the repair, planning, and troubleshooting of maintenance of all plant equipment and machinery. Additionally, they will perform inspections and respond to emergency calls. The position will also coordinate startups, shut downs and the operations of plant equipment.

This position will be required to perform some preventive maintenance on greenhouse equipment. Experience performing preventive or corrective maintenance on plant equipment or industrial machinery such as boilers, chillers, pumps, compressors, stream traps and valves is valued. Fixing irrigation and PVC plumbing repair.

Position works as a member of a team while frequently performing tasks independently. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining a continuous flow of electricity, CHP, boiler plant and other utilities to the greenhouse facility in normal and emergency situations. Additional job- related decisions making includes: when to start or stop equipment, interpret equipment data and apply corrective actions.

Must be able to work nonstandard shifts and overtime. 

Essential Personnel:

This unit may provide essential services during times of emergencies and inclement weather.

This position may be required to fulfill essential services and functions during these times.

Professional Competencies

• Perform duties in a way that advances and supports the mission of the greenhouse facility.

• Work effectively in a diverse team environment and create effective relationships for problem solving and positive interactions.

• Take initiative, looking for what needs to be done and doing it.

• Pay close attention to detail.

• Maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.

• Maintain a respectful workplace and model a positive and proactive attitude.

• Model the highest ethical standards.

• Provide superior customer service.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school or equivalent (Required)

• Maintenance: 1 year (Required)

• Valid US Driver’s license (Required)

• Experience working with CHP systems

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of power generation equipment IE: Natural Gas and Diesel Generators.

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of boilers.

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of air handling equipment.

• Experience with Irrigation equipment and other greenhouse equipment

• Familiar with using Priva software or other control system software.

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.