Ipm Supervisor

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Supervisor
Job Title: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Supervisor
Department: IPM
Reports To: Head Grower

JOB SUMMARY:

Bushel Boy Farms is a year-round grower of fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes and strawberries with a state-of-the-art research facility experimenting with additional varieties of produce with locations in Owatonna, Minnesota and Mason City, Iowa. Bushel Boy's parent company, Rahr Corporation, is a family-owned global leader in the production and distribution of barley malt and related brewing supplies in operation since 1847.

The Integrated Pest Management supervisor will be involved in developing integrated pest management strategies, field scouting, pesticide selection, application oversight, record keeping, and reporting. This position will manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Enable the Bushel Boy Farms team to grow quality crops with minimal pest or disease by partnering with the IPM Supervisor and Growing Managers to meet any established goals. Lead by example in order to motivate employees in a way that results in a high level of functioning among the individual team members and promote best IPM practices throughout the facility. After appropriate training, independently perform all responsibilities listed on the Integrated Pest Management Assistant job description as well as any goals or tasks assigned. Support Bushel Boy Farms Greenhouse's Mission Statement in all job-related functions.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate monitoring and scouting for disease and pest pressure and verification of pest and disease infestation trends.
• Planning, organizing, training, and assigning scout duties as required.
• Supervision of IPM protocols of pest and disease management.
• Maintain & continue to improve IPM plan including bio controls, beneficial insects, natural predators, trapping, vacuuming, and spraying.
• Management coordination on biological programs and implementation.
• Monitoring efficiencies of control measures used.
• Follow up on field treatments for efficacy.
• Generate accurate and updated field/ block maps.
• Communicate field availability and quality issues to production/ management team on a daily basis.
• Facilitating trials on new commercial products prior to applying to entire crop.
• Maintaining up-to-date records.
• Manage experimental trials.
• Water, tissue, and media sampling.
• Pollination
• Complete projects accurately and by deadline as assigned, promptly communicating with growers when unable to do so.
• Participate in IPM department educational outreach programs at Bushel Boy Farms Greenhouse to result in an educated workforce that can accurately identify pests and diseases.
• Scout Greenhouse for insect and disease pressure. Accurately relay this information back to the Growers.
• Ensure that weekly chemical application/sprays are completed on time and accurately while adhering to all Bushel Boy Farms safety protocols and biological Control Organisms (BIOS) are properly placed in and applied to crops.
• Make sure new crop arrivals/deliveries are scouted prior to introduction into the greenhouse in such a manner that results in minimal disruption to other departments while preventing pest and disease from entering the greenhouse.
• Adjust schedule seasonally as needed. IE - willing to work more or less hours depending on the needs of the department. Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
• Report to work as scheduled, maintaining a level of absences that results in minimal departmental disruption and minimal unfair burden on other employees.
• Communicate effectively with all fellow employees, forming collaborative partnerships with the various departments to proactively address conflicts that may arise in day-to­ day operations and promptly reporting when unable to do so. Communicate all relevant job-related information to growing team as needed. Anticipate and report problems or challenges with crops without delay. Suggest solutions to crop challenges.
• Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with all fellow employees and across all departments. Promote positive morale by working effectively as a team across departments. Act as an ambassador for our department whenever interacting with members of other departments and exemplify the values of cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Promptly record and report pest and disease outbreaks to Growing team.
• Set goals and standards along with the IPM team as well as yourself. Share these goals promptly and regularly with the Head Grower. Implement and share results of experiments that will benefit an individual, the team, or the company.
• Embrace training opportunities and self-educate to become an expert on each piece of greenhouse equipment and integrated pest management techniques.
• Educate fellow employees about pest and disease pressure in terms that they understand with the end goal of creating a plant pest and disease educated workforce.
• Quickly learn and adapt to new systems, techniques, equipment and other new company or department direction.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills & foresight in identifying areas in need of improvement and by developing innovative solutions.
• Stay current with all operating, maintenance, and safety protocols for each piece of greenhouse equipment or process used.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & WORK REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree in agriculture or related field education or two years related experience
• A minimum of 1 years of related experience and preferably high-tech greenhouse or large-scale farming pest control experience with Tomato and strawberries crops.
• Willing to relocate to the area.
• Proficient with using computer systems, maintaining electronic data/records.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Detail oriented and able to follow through on tasks.
• Good verbal and written communicator.
• Must be honest and forthcoming, flexible, reliable, respectful to others, and passionate.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Hold and Maintain Pesticide applicator's license/certifications throughout the duration of the role.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and experience in agricultural/greenhouse operations, equipment, and row crops.
• Knowledge of plants and vegetables disease.
• Knowledge of Pest and pest's life cycle.
• Knowledge of Pesticides and their applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent bending to the ground and reaching overhead, pulling carts on 4-wheel castors weighing over 200 lbs.
• Will be on feet and walking for 8+ hours.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Full face respirator could be required up to a full shift.
• Employee will be exposed to the sun and/or high intensity lights.
• Employee will work in a wet environment where clothes and footwear can become saturated.
• Employee may be exposed to temperatures that can be at or 10-20 degrees above outside temperature. '
• Rolling, unrolling, and using irrigation hoses & high-pressure hoses.
• Applying chemicals using hand pulled sprayers.
• Demonstrate a high degree of comfort interacting directly with Insects.
• Using hand lenses to count small insects.

I have reviewed, read, and understand the roles and responsibilities outlined in this job description. I know that this job description is not an exclusive list of my roles and responsibilities. I understand that, while I work in this job, in order to help our business succeed, I will be responsible to perform other work that I am assigned or that should be performed in order to do my job well. In other words, this job description does not limit the scope of my job even if the description does not mention responsibilities and even if the job description is not changed to specifically list other responsibilities that I am assigned. I know and agree that this job description does not constitute a contract of employment for any period of time and does not constitute a contract for any terms and conditions of employment. Rather, this job description is a guideline to help me understand the responsibilities of the job and a tool to help measure my performance regarding my responsibilities. I know that the Company expects me to contact my supervisor with any questions that I have regarding my job or the company and any ideas that I have to make my work and our business more efficient and effective.

I have entered into my employment relationship with Rahr Corporation voluntarily and acknowledge there is no specified length of employment. Accordingly, either I or Rahr Corporation can terminate the relationship at will, with or without cause, at any time, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law.

Candidate Signature Date