Title: Plant Health Foreman Job Class:

Company: Midwest Groundcovers, LLC

Objective/Accountability

• To oversee the plant health functions of Virgil Nursery to ensure that nursery stock and landscape are free from pests and diseases. Providing growers with guidance for cultural care, fertility, and all plant health functions.

Function/Corresponding Tasks

Personnel Management:

• Time Pro- Scheduling work hours and shifts.

• Budget- Assists with preparation of budgets for assigned departments.

• Rolling Calendar-Create & update the VI rolling calendar and ensure task are completed on time.

• Goals- Assist on the development of goals for the VI Plant Health Operator.

Plant Health responsibilities:

• Maintain and improve plant health knowledge throughout continuing education.

• Establish 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 from 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 reentry period has expired.

• Assist Plant Health Manager in collecting and sending soil and pathology samples.

• Coordinate spray crew. Those duties include: creating herbicide application list of areas need be sprayed. Communicate with department growers to arrange irrigation before application and relocating production workers away from the spray area. Provide the proper chemicals, calculate rates and follow pesticide label instructions. Give time frame for completing the daily tasks. Provide feedback. Relocate spray crew to production work when 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 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 are removed.

Inventory responsibilities:

• Keep chemical inventory

• Keep safety supplies and protective equipment inventory.

• Ordering chemicals & fertilizers with PO’s

Equipment:

• Maintaining a schedule for inspecting, servicing, and testing all spray equipment

• Diagnosing and repairing sprayer failures

• Report any repairs to be made to VI mechanic

• Enter Hippo work orders as needed

Communication:

• Maintain proper communication with all members of the Plant Health staff.

• Reporting any found pests to the Nursery Manager and plant health staff.

• Maintain proper communication with Department Growers.

Personal growth and Department Support:

• Acquire necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

• Cross train and learn other tasks and responsibilities in the division.

• Carry out other tasks or responsibilities as assigned by the Plant Health Manager.

Required education and /or 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.

Required skills:

• 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 team environment.

Expectations:

• The ability to work for long periods of time.

• The ability to lift 50 lbs.

• The ability to maintain good lines of communication.

• The ability to supervise a crew of workers.

• The ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Feedback:

• Is there good teamwork and team spirit amongst the team members?

• Are plant quality expectations met? Is quality continually improving?

• Have planning and reporting been timely and accurate?

• Have the inventory tasks been performed in a timely and accurate manner?

• Are the equipment and facilities managed and maintained properly?

• Are they achieving personal and professional goals?