Cultivation Technician II

Purpose

Argus Technicians are responsible for the daily monitoring and operation of the automated watering system “Argus.” Argus Technicians will monitor fertilizer levels in each stock tank (chemtainers and bulk nutrient IBC’s), mixing and filling as necessary. All maintenance of the machine (Argus) and its peripheral devices will be handled and overseen by the Argus Technicians. The Argus Technician is expected to operate under the highest standards of compliance and professionalism.

This role pays $20.00/hour

Essential Duties

Monitoring and Recording

• Keep in direct communication with Department Management staff to make sure their water requirements are met in a timely manner (Growth Phase 1, Growth Phase 2, IPM, Post-Harvest, and Plant Health orders on an as needed basis) and adjusted if necessary.
• Monitor and back check the Argus fertilizer injector system to ensure that it is running properly.
• Monitor environmental status and coordinate with Control Systems staff to optimize grow space environments.
• Monitor photoperiods in each room and make sure lights turn on/off when scheduled..
• Monitor elemental salt stock, Argus repair parts, calibration solutions, storage solutions, and more.
• Execute line shocking to maintain cleanliness of the Irrigation system.
• Frequently walk the facility looking at plant health, media saturation levels and/or other water needs for the plants; adjust watering times accordingly and address plant health issues found.
• Frequently check the harvest board to see what tables are due to be harvested. Disable the watering schedules for specific tables that do not have plants loaded onto them and/or manually initiate a watering events when necessary.
• Record data such as daily water usage; input and output, elemental salt usage and all recipe changes made to a group of plants.
• Update all logs/spreadsheets on a daily basis including but not limited to, Argus pulse, Irrigation Parameter Tracking, Irrigation Maintenance, Irrigation Inventory, Filters & Ball Valve, Argus change log, etc.
• Monitor ball valves and solenoid valves throughout the grow. Make sure ball valves are in the appropriate position and solenoid valves are hand tightened all the way flush with their respective solenoid housings. Replace any damaged or leaking hardware and report any abnormalities back to the Irrigation Manager, Supervisors and Argus team.
• Assess empty tables’ Irrigation equipment (Manifolds/Pressure Regulators/Check Valves/Solenoids/etc) for damage - clean/repair as necessary and report to department management.
• Assist Irrigation Technicians with weekly foliar applications when directives are given by the management team.
• Drench or apply treatments to tables using approved nutrients/additive when directives are given by the management team.

Procedures

• Review the Night Crew Log for any overnight issues or reports.
• Check to make sure that the appropriate systems and rooms ran during the night.
• Work with other departments to coordinate which tables are going to be loaded for the day as well as the following day, and coordinate with department supervisor staff to develop an efficient department work-flow.
• Mix bulk concentrations of elemental salts when necessary, bulk cubes should not run dry of any concentrate.
• Ensures chemtainers do not fall below 100L of nutrient solution at any given time (with the exception to A2 and B3 chemtainers). These tanks will be filled numerous times throughout the day/night to ensure plants are receiving full nutrient solution.
• Wear respirator, Tychem protective suit, boots, gloves, splash shield and safety glasses when handling acids/bases.
• Adjust watering times and light dimming as necessary.
• Send pre-treatment using Argus to saturate grow media for transplant preparation, in a timely manner.
• E-mail a daily recap of the Irrigation department’s accomplished tasks to all other departments before completion of shift.
• E-mail a checklist of duties to the night shift technicians before completion of shift to ensure smooth shift hand-off/transition.
• Communicate consistently with department managers/supervisors of updates in the Argus schedule.
• Communicate with the Controls team when and if environments are outside of ideal VPD ranges and work with them to troubleshoot a solution to the best of their ability.

Samples and Testing

• Complete and input data for block/soil samples as plant health issues arise, or as requested by management.
• Complete emitter efficiency audits to ensure emitters are not clogging by using the emitter efficiency coefficient process.
• Collect/Record Specific Gravity, Nutrient Analysis, Dripper, Runoff, Media and ORP tests regularly and as requested by supervisor/management staff.

Scheduling and Ordering

• Update and manage watering schedules through Argus to ensure every table/room/area operates as programmed.
• Regularly consult Irrigation Technicians as to any needed tools, hardware or other items to be placed on order and relay information to department manager.

Workspace and Maintenance

• Inspect/Clean Argus parts regularly.
• Regular maintenance/cleaning of the Argus injection system.
• Clean/Tidy work area daily.
• Run appropriate materials through the system to clean out the lines when necessary (SaniDate 5.0, Zerotol, H2O2, ClO2, etc.).

Work Environment

• Adhere to all work safety requirements including but not limited to: lifting, bending, and move up and down ladders throughout shift.
• Perform regular cleaning and maintenance on work surfaces, tools, and related equipment to ensure systems are well maintained.
• Keep doors closed when not in use.
• Wear protective clothing when working with plants.
• Before exiting the facility remove protective clothing and ensure that there is no cannabis on your personal clothing, shoes, or hair.

Compliance

Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

• Ensure that workflow and work procedures are documented and that appropriate controls and audit are in place to ensure data and processing integrity.
• Always using proper safety/OSHA protocol when it is required.

Other Duties

• Other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to assisting other departments to help facilitate the additional and/or supplemental work such as harvesting, trimming, packaging, cleaning and light maintenance as needed throughout the facility.

Supervision

• Works under the direct supervision of the Supervisors of Irrigation.
• Works under the general direction from Manager of Irrigation.

Job Qualifications

Work Experience

• One+ years of work experience in a related industry or work environment.

Six months + as an Irrigation Technician required.

• Demonstrates the ability to work on a team.
• Demonstrates leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrates oral and written communication capabilities.
• Must be able to secure appropriate work credentials from the Colorado Department of Revenue, MED.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Working Expectations

• Able to use a computer and/or hand tools while sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Able to move about a typical office, manufacturing or warehouse environment.
• Able to kneel, bend, reach, rotate, and stoop on a regular basis daily.
• Able to lift and move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Willing and able to keep facial hair shaven when respirator use is required.
• Regular and on-time attendance.
• No headphones.
• Hours regularly exceed 40 hours per week.
• Weekends are required.
• Occasional over-night work may be required by department management and is on an as-needed basis.
• Occasional travel by conventional means including aircraft, motor vehicle and the like within the region and to other locations as required.

Salary

$20 USD per hour