Associate Integrated Pest Mgmt Manager

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 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:

Costa Farms is the perfect place for people who love plants, teamwork and winning. We are currently looking for people that share our values of humble, hungry, hustle and are ready to turn their passion for plants (and insects) into a career. As an Associate IPM Manager, you and your team of scouts will monitor both pest and biological populations on the farm and ensure the balance is always kept favorable. Depending on the crops, environmental conditions, and pest pressures this will continuously vary and will require focus and the ability to disseminate large amounts of information into bite-size pieces for the team. Although chemical applications will be a necessary part of this program, we are looking for someone to continue to reduce our chemical footprint. The perfect candidate for this position has a passion for biologicals with a desire to learn more because at Costa Farms, we don’t just grow plants, we grow people.

Tasks/Primary Responsibilities:

• Train and continuously work with the scouting team to identify pests, diseases, and trends on the farm
• Implement and maintain a program combining both chemical and biological control methods
• Organizing/Prioritizing hot spots and treatments on the farm and collaborating with Operations when necessary
• Work closely with growers on completing chemical applications, lab testing, etc.
• Coordinate with consultants and reps on visits and training sessions for the farm
• Record keeping – WPS, fit testing, spray orders, scouting reports, MPS (More Profitable Sustainability)
• Order and maintain inventory of chemicals and biologicals

Physical requirements:

• Ability to bend, lift, reach (15-25lbs)
• Long periods walking concrete floors on feet
• Must be able to tolerate hot and humid conditions in the greenhouse and occasional cool temperatures (40F limit)

Desired Skills:

• Minimum two years of experience in IPM, growing or related profession
• Understanding of insect and disease identification including physiological interaction
• Knowledge of pesticides and compatibility with biologicals
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt in a positive manner
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks and requests
• Read, write and speak English (Some Spanish is helpful but not required)
• Ability to acquire a pesticide applicators license/permit within ninety days of hire
• Experience managing a team
• Flexibility with schedule (hours may vary depending on season and pest pressure)

Education:

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) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Health Savings Account
• Care on Demand Telemedicine
• 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

Costa Farms headquarters also has:

• On-site gym with showers
• On-site cafeteria, quiet room, and indoor games
• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year

This organization participates in E-Verify

• 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)