Costa Farms, LLC.
Integrated Pest Mgmt Manager
Costa Farms, LLC., Rapidan, Virginia, United States, 22733
Costa Battlefield23190 Clarks Mountain RdRapidan, VA 22733, USA
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 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.Job SummaryThe IPM Manager is responsible for supervising and managing all aspects of Integrated Pest Management to effectively aid the Growing team in producing high-quality stock, plug and liner products of the required quality specifications as communicated by the customer and upper management.Responsibilities:Stay current on latest scouting and reporting methods.Develop SOP for IPM.Perform training to scouters on bi-weekly basis on all aspects of disease and pest management.Set a deadline when an application has to be completed (Day/Time).Consider the financial implications in pest and disease management and strive to reduce our pesticide and chemical usage each year.During shipping, inspect shipping area and inspect product for disease and possible insect.Work towards 100% bio control while keeping the cost the same as conventional chemistries.Maintain copies on training logs and have people sign attendance sheet for future reference.Consult with suppliers on new and innovative products.Attend events and organize events at BFF for scouters and growers (attend at least one event a year).When making decisions on what chemistries or bio’s to use keep Sustainability Program in mind.Strive for excellence in the Sustainability Certification Program rating system.Do not use neonicotinoids and be aware of rotating chemical classes for higher efficacy.Reduce section closures by using products with an REI of 4 hours or less when possible.Assist growers in planning out the upcoming week in regard to applications of chemicals and bio’s.Maintain accurate records for each crop for future reference.Report to Head Grower an overview of where the issues are weekly.Collect and record a yearly use of chemistries and bios with cost for review to Head Grower each January.Collect soil, water and tissue samples for testing.Record test results and report directly to Head Grower of outcome of results.Skills:Minimum two years of experience in IPM, entomology, growing or related profession.Active understanding of insect and disease identification and physiological interactions.Four-year college degree preferred but not required.Ability to speak, read, and write English. Bi-lingual in Spanish recommended and preferred.Virginia Private Pesticide Applicators License - Possess or obtain within first 6 months of employment.Proven track record to lead, manage, and develop a diverse team.Strong organization skills.Excellent communication and collaboration skills.Advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills.Familiarity with greenhouse growing conditions and protocols.Familiarity with Worker Protection Standards Act; Pesticide Awareness and Safety.Familiarity with tissue, water and soil testing procedures.Ability to lift fifty pounds.Ability to walk, bend and kneel unassisted.The work environment for this position may include the outdoors in full sun exposure, in a warehouse/greenhouse area, or in an office environment. This position should expect an environment with large fluctuations in temperature including hot and humid. This position may expect a dusty or dirty work environment. This position may be required to work extended hours, weekends and/or holidays if necessary.All applicants must be work-authorized.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) PlanCompany 401(k) Matching ContributionsHealth Savings AccountCare on Demand TelemedicineHealth InsuranceVision InsuranceSupplemental Insurance (Aflac)Virtual workplace for certain rolesChallenging and exciting work environmentEmployee discounts on plantsCosta Farms headquarters also has:On-site gym with showersOn-site cafeteria, quiet room, and indoor gamesLove Where You Work activities throughout the yearThis organization participates in E-Verify.
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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 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.Job SummaryThe IPM Manager is responsible for supervising and managing all aspects of Integrated Pest Management to effectively aid the Growing team in producing high-quality stock, plug and liner products of the required quality specifications as communicated by the customer and upper management.Responsibilities:Stay current on latest scouting and reporting methods.Develop SOP for IPM.Perform training to scouters on bi-weekly basis on all aspects of disease and pest management.Set a deadline when an application has to be completed (Day/Time).Consider the financial implications in pest and disease management and strive to reduce our pesticide and chemical usage each year.During shipping, inspect shipping area and inspect product for disease and possible insect.Work towards 100% bio control while keeping the cost the same as conventional chemistries.Maintain copies on training logs and have people sign attendance sheet for future reference.Consult with suppliers on new and innovative products.Attend events and organize events at BFF for scouters and growers (attend at least one event a year).When making decisions on what chemistries or bio’s to use keep Sustainability Program in mind.Strive for excellence in the Sustainability Certification Program rating system.Do not use neonicotinoids and be aware of rotating chemical classes for higher efficacy.Reduce section closures by using products with an REI of 4 hours or less when possible.Assist growers in planning out the upcoming week in regard to applications of chemicals and bio’s.Maintain accurate records for each crop for future reference.Report to Head Grower an overview of where the issues are weekly.Collect and record a yearly use of chemistries and bios with cost for review to Head Grower each January.Collect soil, water and tissue samples for testing.Record test results and report directly to Head Grower of outcome of results.Skills:Minimum two years of experience in IPM, entomology, growing or related profession.Active understanding of insect and disease identification and physiological interactions.Four-year college degree preferred but not required.Ability to speak, read, and write English. Bi-lingual in Spanish recommended and preferred.Virginia Private Pesticide Applicators License - Possess or obtain within first 6 months of employment.Proven track record to lead, manage, and develop a diverse team.Strong organization skills.Excellent communication and collaboration skills.Advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills.Familiarity with greenhouse growing conditions and protocols.Familiarity with Worker Protection Standards Act; Pesticide Awareness and Safety.Familiarity with tissue, water and soil testing procedures.Ability to lift fifty pounds.Ability to walk, bend and kneel unassisted.The work environment for this position may include the outdoors in full sun exposure, in a warehouse/greenhouse area, or in an office environment. This position should expect an environment with large fluctuations in temperature including hot and humid. This position may expect a dusty or dirty work environment. This position may be required to work extended hours, weekends and/or holidays if necessary.All applicants must be work-authorized.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) PlanCompany 401(k) Matching ContributionsHealth Savings AccountCare on Demand TelemedicineHealth InsuranceVision InsuranceSupplemental Insurance (Aflac)Virtual workplace for certain rolesChallenging and exciting work environmentEmployee discounts on plantsCosta Farms headquarters also has:On-site gym with showersOn-site cafeteria, quiet room, and indoor gamesLove Where You Work activities throughout the yearThis organization participates in E-Verify.
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