IPM Specialist

About the role

The IPM Specialist is responsible for owning and executing all Integrated Pest Management functions within the nursery and propagation facility. This role focuses on pest and pathogen prevention, scouting, spray applications, beneficial insect programs, product evaluations, compliance documentation, chemical storage, SDS management, and protecting the health of mother plants, clones, and young plant material.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the nursery IPM program from scouting through treatment and follow-up.
• Protect the health and cleanliness of mother stock, clones, veg plants, and nursery inventory.
• Perform all pesticide, biological, foliar, and sanitation spray applications according to label, safety, and compliance standards.
• Accurately calculate and mix products using proper measurements, dilution rates, and label directions.
• Use prior application knowledge and sound judgment to prevent common treatment errors, crop injury, or ineffective applications.
• Understand environmental considerations such as light intensity, temperature, humidity, and dry-back timing when making applications.
• Conduct side-by-side product trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness, plant response, and phytotoxicity.
• Document trial results and provide recommendations for program improvements.
• Conduct and ensure completion of routine scouting throughout all nursery, propagation, and mother plant areas.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and compliance of all chemical storage and application areas.
• Maintain an up-to-date SDS library for all onsite products, digital and non-digital.
• Monitor chemical inventory levels and communicate reorder needs.
• Coordinate treatment schedules with nursery and cultivation leadership.
• Assist in improving existing pest management, sanitation, and nursery health programs to reduce losses and improve plant quality.
• Train staff on sanitation practices, clone handling, room-entry procedures, and pest prevention protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Proven experience applying horticultural pesticides in nursery, greenhouse, propagation, cannabis, or agricultural environments.
• Strong understanding of pesticide labels, mixing rates, application techniques, PPE, REI intervals, compatibility, and safe handling procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately calculate spray volumes, weights, and dilution rates.
• Experience in recognizing and avoiding phytotoxicity risks and common application mistakes.
• Experience conducting product trials or evaluating treatment performance preferred.
• Experience with beneficial insect programs, sticky trap monitoring, and pest trend tracking preferred.
• Experience maintaining spray logs, compliance records, and SDS systems.
• Strong scouting skills with knowledge of common nursery pests, pathogens, and plant stress indicators.
• Experience working with clones, mother plants, propagation systems, or young plant production preferred.
• Ability to work independently, stay organized, solve problems, and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Ability to pass respirator medical evaluation and fit test.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Applicator License preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• 401(k), Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation Time
• Career Growth and Internal Advancement Opportunities
• Chance to work in an exciting new start-up industry with awesome people!

Pay

The hourly pay range for this position in the selected city is: $20.00- $25.00. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Schedule

Current schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, with availability for one or both weekend days as needed for spray applications or urgent nursery needs.