Job description
Verdant Vale Nurseries is seeking a Horticulture Specialist in Davis, CA to lead sustainable cultivation programs across our greenhouse and field operations. This role blends science, hands-on care, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver premium plants and customer satisfaction.
As a key member of our horticulture team, you will oversee crop health, nutrition, irrigation, climate control, and propagation activities while upholding our commitment to environmental stewardship and quality.
We offer a dynamic, growth-oriented environment, competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to shape cultivar quality for a diverse residential and commercial customer base.
Responsibility
- Manage and optimize greenhouse production, nursery operations, and scheduling to maximize yield and plant quality.
- Monitor plant health, nutrition, irrigation scheduling, climate control, and soil conditions; adjust practices as needed.
- Develop and implement integrated pest management and disease prevention plans to minimize chemical inputs.
- Lead propagation, pruning, grafting, and transplanting activities ensuring vitality and vigor of all stock.
- Collaborate with breeding, product development, and sales teams to align varieties with market demand and customer needs.
- Maintain accurate inventory, data records, and reporting on cultivation metrics, yields, and resource use.
- Ensure compliance with safety, sanitation, and environmental standards; coach junior staff and interns.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, or related field; or equivalent professional experience in greenhouse management.
- 3+ years hands-on greenhouse or nursery experience with crops typical to home and commercial markets.
- Strong knowledge of plant nutrition, soil science, irrigation systems, crop health, and crop management.
- Experience with integrated pest management, disease prevention, and organic or sustainable practices is a plus.
- Proficiency with climate control systems, fertigation, data analysis, and cultivation software.
- Excellent communication, project management, and teamwork skills; ability to lead and mentor staff.
- Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and perform demanding tasks in a greenhouse environment.