Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Greenhouse Specialist
💰 $45,000 - $75,000
AgricultureHorticultureScienceSkilled Labor
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a dedicated and knowledgeable Greenhouse Specialist to join our team. This role is the backbone of our controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operations, responsible for the complete lifecycle of our crops, from propagation to harvest. The ideal candidate is a hands-on expert in plant science and greenhouse technology, passionate about optimizing plant health, yield, and quality. You will be a key player in maintaining the delicate balance of the greenhouse ecosystem, utilizing advanced technology and horticultural best practices to drive our success. This position requires a proactive problem-solver who can manage daily tasks while also contributing to long-term operational improvements and research initiatives.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Greenhouse Technician or Assistant
- Horticulture Intern or Apprentice
- Agricultural Research Assistant
- Farm Hand with relevant experience
Advancement To:
- Head Grower or Lead Grower
- Greenhouse Manager
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Operations Manager
- Plant Science Research Lead
Lateral Moves:
- Agronomist or Crop Consultant
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist
- Agricultural Technology Specialist
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Manage and execute all daily greenhouse tasks, including seeding, cloning, transplanting, pruning, and trellising to ensure crops meet growth milestones and quality standards.
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain sophisticated greenhouse environmental control systems to precisely manage temperature, humidity, CO2, and lighting according to crop-specific needs.
- Develop and implement comprehensive irrigation and fertigation schedules, regularly monitoring water quality, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) to ensure optimal nutrient delivery.
- Execute a robust Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, including diligent scouting for pests and diseases, releasing beneficial insects, and applying biological or chemical treatments as needed.
- Oversee plant health and nutrition, conducting regular tissue and soil/media analysis to diagnose and correct nutrient deficiencies or toxicities proactively.
- Meticulously record data on crop growth, environmental conditions, resource usage, and pest/disease incidence to inform operational decisions and support research objectives.
- Manage propagation activities, including taking cuttings, grafting, and sowing seeds, to ensure a consistent and healthy supply of young plants for production cycles.
- Coordinate and execute harvesting, post-harvest handling, and packing procedures to maintain product quality and prepare for distribution or sale.
- Maintain a clean, sterile, and organized greenhouse environment through regular sanitation of benches, floors, tools, and irrigation systems to prevent disease outbreaks.
- Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on greenhouse equipment, including irrigation systems, environmental sensors, fertigation units, and climate control hardware.
- Adhere strictly to all company safety protocols and state/federal agricultural regulations, including proper handling and documentation of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of greenhouse cultivation and operations.
- Evaluate and trial new crop varieties, growing media, and cultivation techniques to drive continuous improvement in yield, quality, and operational efficiency.
- Manage inventory of essential supplies, such as seeds, fertilizers, growing media, and pest control agents, and coordinate purchasing to prevent shortages.
- Train and mentor junior greenhouse technicians and assistants on horticultural best practices, safety procedures, and operational protocols.
Secondary Functions
- Support research and development trials by implementing experimental protocols, collecting precise data, and providing detailed observations to the plant science team.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with logistics, sales, and management to align production schedules with market demand and business goals.
- Generate regular reports on crop performance, production yields, and operational metrics for review by management.
- Participate in the planning and installation of new greenhouse systems and technologies as the facility expands or upgrades.
- Stay current with the latest advancements and research in horticulture, controlled environment agriculture, and sustainable growing practices.
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
- Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
- Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
- Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Deep knowledge of plant physiology, nutrition, and pathology in a controlled environment.
- Expertise in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, including identification of common pests/diseases and knowledge of biological/chemical controls.
- Proficiency with greenhouse environmental control software and hardware (e.g., Priva, Argus, Hoogendoorn).
- Hands-on experience with various growing systems, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and soil/soilless media cultivation.
- Skilled in plant propagation techniques, including seeding, grafting, tissue culture, and cloning.
- Competency in operating and maintaining fertigation/irrigation systems and monitoring water quality (pH, EC).
- Ability to perform accurate data collection, record-keeping, and basic analysis using tools like Microsoft Excel or specialized farm management software.
- Mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting and performing minor repairs on greenhouse equipment.
Soft Skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and exceptional observational skills for early detection of plant health issues.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities to diagnose and resolve complex cultivation challenges.
- Ability to work effectively both independently with minimal supervision and as a collaborative member of a team.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for reporting and team collaboration.
- A proactive and adaptable mindset, with a strong willingness to learn and embrace new technologies and methods.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, or a closely related discipline.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
- Agronomy
- Biology
- Environmental Science
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 2-5 years of direct, hands-on experience working in a commercial, research, or large-scale production greenhouse.
Preferred:
- Experience managing automated climate and irrigation control systems.
- A state-issued Pesticide Applicator License is highly desirable.
- Proven experience with a specific crop category (e.g., leafy greens, vine crops, floriculture) relevant to the employer.