Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist

Rubicon Organics is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist to join our team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing our organic cultivation methodology, implementing innovative strategies, and improving our current IPM processes. The IPM Specialist will be responsible for managing and evolving our integrated pest management program, and contributing to Research and Development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Overall IPM Program Design and Management:

·       Define, design, and deliver an integrated pest management program that suits the unique needs of our organic cannabis greenhouse.

·       Develop our IPM instruction manual for production staff to follow. Update it as you refine the program.

·       Provide in-crop support for our production team to help them appropriately adjust approaches as factors change.

·       Develop white papers on pest management and best practices for specific pests that we encounter.

Scouting Program Management:

·       Maintain and manage the scouting program and schedule, updating procedures and forms as needed.

·       Train and mentor scouts on current scouting procedures and techniques.

·       Educate scouts on identifying pests and beneficial insects, emphasizing ecological principles for accurate observations and predictions.

·       Assess and communicate pest pressure and the effectiveness of the integrated pest management program.

·       Share pest observations with the cultivation team to facilitate informed pest management decisions.

·       Maintain the bio release program, updating it in response to new pests, pest pressures, and seasonal changes.

IPM Calendar and Budget:

·       Own the IPM calendar, ensuring it aligns with seasonal, situational, and operational needs.

·       Monitor production adherence to the IPM program and schedule.

·       Manage the bio budget in coordination with the Senior Manager, Cultivation ensuring cost-effectiveness in all IPM initiatives.

Research and Development:

·       Design, manage, and/or conduct efficacy trials to evaluate the impact of new products or techniques on plant health and quality.

·       Oversee cultivar plant measurements for Phase I and Phase II trials, ensuring standardization across data collection efforts.

·       Write comprehensive trial reports to document findings and recommendations.

·       Continuously seek cost reduction or quality improvement through process optimization.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or related field.

·       Proven experience in integrated pest management, preferably in organic cultivation.

·       Strong knowledge of cannabis cultivation methods and ecological principles.

·       Excellent communication and training skills.

·       Highly organized and detail oriented; strong with documentation.

·       Ability to work collaboratively within a team and contribute to a positive work environment.

·       Proven track record of implementing successful IPM strategies and improving existing processes.

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