Essential Responsibilities:

• Personnel Management: 
  • Time Pro- Scheduling work hours and shifts.
  • Budget- Assists with the preparation of budgets for assigned departments.
  • Rolling Calendar-Create & update the VI rolling calendar and ensure tasks are completed on time.
  • Goals- Assist in the development of goals for the VI Plant Health Operator.

• Plant Health responsibilities: 
  • Maintain and improve plant health knowledge throughout continuing education.
  • Establish a regular disease and insect monitoring schedule of Virgil Nursery.
  • Help with pest and disease monitoring of the other Illinois nurseries.
  • Carry out pesticide applications as directed by the Plant Health Manager.
  • Keep pesticide records.
  • Make sure proper personal protective equipment is being used and report any violations to the Plant Health Manager.
  • Ensure that pesticide signs are posted in treated areas and removed after the reentry period has expired.
  • Assist Plant Health Manager in collecting and sending soil and pathology samples.
  • Coordinate spray crew. Those duties include: creating an herbicide application list of areas that need to be sprayed. Communicate with department growers to arrange irrigation before application and relocate production workers away from the spray area. Provide the proper chemicals, calculate rates and follow pesticide label instructions. Give a time frame for completing the daily tasks. Provide feedback. Relocate spray crew to production work when the weather does not permit pesticide applications.
  • Train personnel and oversee granular herbicide applications in Virgil Nursery.
  • Assist in training the Illinois Lead Sprayer Operator.
  • Maintain an open line of communication with Plant Health Manager, St. Charles Plant Health Foreman, and department growers.
  • Monitor soil fertility and irrigation management with the department growers to ensure optimum growing conditions for nursery stock.
  • Train production personnel on proper cultural practices throughout the Midwest Nurseries
  • Maintain clean and orderly chemical storage rooms.
  • Properly operate container sterilizer to disinfect reused containers and other containerized material as directed by the Plant Health Manager.
  • Oversee the composting of the Virgil dump pile by turning the windrows, controlling weeds, and ensuring that unsuitable debris is removed.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• The ability to multitask and work under pressure. 
• The ability to keep accurate records. 
• The ability to make quick decisions. 
• The ability to take instructions and follow through. 
• The ability to work in a team environment. 

Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years of general nursery experience. 
• 2 years of experience operating equipment (tractor, forklift, skid loader)
• 2-year horticulture related degree or equivalent experience. 
• Valid Illinois driver’s license. 
• Acquire and maintain Illinois Pesticide License.