What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Grower R&D position at Costa Farms?
Company Overview
Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!
Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.
True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.
We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.
You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.
Description
The Assistant Grower R&D assists the Research and Development Manager in Trials and Experiments and supports the Horticulture Department by evaluating new plant products, and developing better practices.
Primary Duties
Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.
After applying, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what’s happening around Costa Farms and to start becoming part of our family. Come Grow with Us™!
Costa Farms Offers Competitive Wages And Benefits, Including
Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!
Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.
True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.
We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.
You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.
Description
The Assistant Grower R&D assists the Research and Development Manager in Trials and Experiments and supports the Horticulture Department by evaluating new plant products, and developing better practices.
Primary Duties
- Irrigates plants outdoors and indoors. Techniques include watering by hand, installing drips lines and operating automated irrigation systems.
- Read and interpret Chemical Labels, mix concentrations for chemical applications, wear personal protective equipment, (gloves, goggles, spray suit, respirator, boots)
- Must dig holes, plant in the ground by hand, pull and spray weeds, trim plants in trial garden, maintain garden areas, move fertilizer bags, ride a bicycle and wear a backpack sprayer up to 50 lbs.
- Collect data, take photos with a camera, use computer and software to record and upload data, save files to appropriate locations on computer or portal.
- Collect samples of soil, water and plant material for testing.
- Transplant trials. Move, carry, pick up and space plants by hand. Dispose of plant materials when directed.
- Driving an electric cart, carrying rolling carts with shelves loaded with plants. Traveling to several areas of the facility and property, carrying equipment, plants and tools.
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science or Related Field Preferred
- Bilingual – fluent English and Spanish verbal and written communication skills preferred
- VDACS Private Pesticide Applicator License within 6 months of hire date
- Hard worker, Active, enjoys the outdoors and manual labor
- Proficient in moisture levels
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Excel
- Proficient in operating cameras, tablets, computers or smart phones for data collection
- Visual acuity and observation skills in regards to plant health and identification of insects, diseases and plant pathogens
- Self-starter with superior organizational, self-motivation and problem-solving skills
- Ability to effectively operate both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to manage projects/tasks to ensure successful delivery projects on time
- Ability to operate a dosatran chemical injector, backpack spray and watering tools
- Good documentation and communication skills
- Communicates effectively.
- Drives results
- Collaborate
- Outdoor working environment with exposure to extreme heat and cold, wind, rain, snow, sun, insects, pollen, soil and allergens.
- Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, lifting, carrying.
- Eye/hand coordination, typing, handling, & wrist motion continuously
- Must have open availability during peak season to work weekends (Saturday and Sunday) or stay late (7:00 AM- 5:00 PM). Typically schedule is 40 hours per week, increasing up to 50 hours per week in peak season.
- Hours may vary and weekend flexibility is a must. Regular onsite attendance is essential.
- Flexibility to work outside of regular scheduled hours or assist other departments, when needed, for the busy season.
Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.
After applying, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what’s happening around Costa Farms and to start becoming part of our family. Come Grow with Us™!
Costa Farms Offers Competitive Wages And Benefits, Including
- 401(k) Plan
- Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
- Health Savings Account
- Telemedicine/ Mental Health Service
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)
- Virtual workplace for certain roles
- Growth Opportunities
- Challenging and exciting work environment
- Costa Farms Scholarship
- Employee discounts on plants
- On-site gym with showers
- On-site cafeteria, quiet room, and indoor games
- Love Where You Work activities throughout the year
- E-Verify Notice of Participation / E-Verify Aviso de Participación (English/Español)
- E-Verify Right to Work Poster / E-Verify Cartel Derecho a Trabajar (English/Español)
