Westbrook Greenhouses, located in Beamsville, Ontario is a leading North American grower and distributor of potted plants. We use an effective combination of human resources and mechanical automation to increase efficiency and reduce our impact on the environment. We’re passionate about enriching people’s lives every day through the beauty of plants.

JOB SUMMARY

The IPM Technician is responsible for all pest scouting activities in Westbrook’s greenhouses. This includes providing up-to-date knowledge of pest levels and activity in all production areas through routine sticky card trapping, systematic crop sampling, and supplemental scouting. The IPM Technician will be responsible for ensuring grower awareness of the status of pest activity within their respective sections through regular communication and providing numerical data for post-treatment trends in pest populations. This position will also provide occasional back up for pesticide and biological spraying activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitoring flying insect populations**:**

• tracking the population levels and trends of flying greenhouse pests as well as biological control agents through regular quantification of sticky cards distributed throughout the crop;
• entering collected data into Westbrook’s database to report results to growers and provide data for CFIA regulatory reporting.

Routine in-crop insect sampling:

• implement routine systematic sampling of pests within the crop, following a sampling protocol designed to provide estimates of pest prevalence in particularly sensitive crops and those not adequately monitored by sticky cards such as aphids in kalanchoes, whitefly in poinsettia and spider mites in roses.

Scouting hot-spots and developing problems:

• flag problem areas, and report observations of developing pest hot-spots not covered during monitoring practices;
• work closely with Quality and Innovation Manager and Growers to ensure that developing issues are brought to light and corrected in a sound and timely manner.

Regular Reporting:

• regular daily/weekly communication with Growers on the status of collected pest data and observations.

Biological and Pesticide Controls:

• receive biological control deliveries;
• ensure quality and correct storage procedures of biological controls is followed;
• apply and distribute biologicals as needed in assigned areas;
• perform pesticide applications as a back up when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Horticulture diploma/degree;
• Minimum 1 year greenhouse experience;
• Grower Pesticide Safety Certificate or willingness to undertake certificate training.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Ability to communicate verbally and written;
• Strong attention to detail and observational abilities;
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Ability to work independently;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Knowledge of insect identification an asset.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Westbrook Greenhouses Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We value workplace diversity and inclusion. Our hiring decisions are made on the basis of candidate qualifications, merit and business need. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices in compliance with the AODA. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process by contacting Human Resources.