Sticking Lead

Walla Walla Nursery Co

Sticking Lead Job Description

 Job Title:  Sticking Lead

Reports To:  Propagation supervisor

Position Status: Full Time

Compensation: $19.5 - 24.75 (DOE)

General Job Description:  

Primary role is the propagation of annuals, grasses, perennials, and shrubs in an efficient and sanitary manner. Also willing to assist in upshifting large liners (as needed) when in heavy production weeks. Maintaining Production expectations and assisting the team in proper reporting. This position supports the Supervisor and will be the point of contact if the Propagation supervisor is not present.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Willing to go through a training course with testing to best understand the practices and expectations of the position.
• Use the proper techniques, required pretreatments, appropriate growing media, container usage, and/or any other specialized requirements in preparation for planting.
• Helps ensure that planting and/or propagation takes place in a timely and coordinated manner referencing potting sheets for start date, quantity, and product placement.
• Follow all written SOPs for each propagation technique and adjust those SOPs where applicable with Propagation supervisor being made aware to reach planting goals
• Train sticking technicians on all SOPs for propagation
• Use Basic mathematics for plant count/tray reporting
• Communicate with other departments-IPM, cutting specialist, growers etc. as needed in regard to obtaining optimal plant material in a timely manner
• Accurate documentation on all potting sheets. Will assist with updating propagation potting sheets daily
• Ensures sanitation of propagation areas. Surfaces are disinfected pre-plant and regularly thereafter to be kept free of algae and slime. Dead or dying plants are removed daily. Propagation environments are 100% weed free at all times. Ensures that the team keeps their tools and equipment clean sanitized daily or between species (where appropriate)
• Work with phase II supervisor and greenhouse leads to correctly lay down trays and in appropriate location
• Assists Propagation Supervisor with receiving all unrooted/TC material from vendors. Carefully documents, reports, and keeps track of claims to vendors and production administration staff.
• Ensure that the cut material remains healthy and is rotated as needed.
• Work with Propagation supervisor for continual education on plant identification and propagation techniques
• Runs the TTA sticking machine when Propagation Supervisor is not available
• Assist with cutting preparation for TTA machine and/or hand sticking of seeds/TC/URC/Divisions.
• Inventories and tracks tray needs on a weekly basis.
• Reporting Daily production count to ‘direct report’
• Performs other duties as assigned

Production expectations to be maintained within propagation

• Receiving and collection of material should only take a duration of 1-4 hours (depending on production load and type of material being produced.)
• Calculating cuttings per container - 1-10 minutes per variety
• Pruning of material approximately 1-3 hours depending on production quantity and weather conditions
• Receiving vendor material can take a duration of 15 minutes if 1-5 varieties. 1-3 hours for 1-5 boxes, or 4-7 hours if 5+boxes

Production expectations to be maintained within propagation

 when assisting in sticking or TTA

• Sowing by hand 15-20 trays of 128/72 per employee per hour
• Sticking tissue culture 45-90 trays of 72 per hour, 25-50 trays of 128 per hour
• 4000-8000 cuttings per 8-hour shift, or 500-1000 URC per hour

Production expectations when assisting in Growing or Phase II departments

• Grading cuttings from calluses or semi rooted material 720-1000 plugs per hour
• Weeding and consolidation
• Light weeding: 30-40 trays per hour
• Standard consolidation/weeding: 20-30 trays per hour
• Heavy weeding/consolidation: 15-20 trays per hour
• Pruning liners:

-Mechanical pruning (hedger, weed wacker with hedger attachment, Agronomic pruning machine):19200+ units per 8-hour shift

-Hand pruning expectation: 5600-7200 units per 8 hours

Training and Testing

• Must be willing to receive training in regard to practices and critical thinking needs for position.
• Pass (in class and hands on) modules 2-10 (not 7). with a minimum score of 60%+ on each module
• Willing to take extra training in areas that pertain but doesn’t directly correspond with role: modules 7

Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent knowledge
• Strong skills with verbal and written communication
• Basic computer skills and strong math skills
• Basic mathematical skills
• Horticulture knowledge a plus but not required
• Skills and ability in time management and task prioritization
• Ability to be self-motivated while paying close attention to detail
• An adaptive personality with an ability to remain flexible

Physical Requirements

• Extensive pulling and/or pushing of tools, wheelbarrows, containers, etc.
• Sit and/or walk for extensive periods of time while sorting, picking, examining, weeding, transporting, spacing, pruning, etc.
• Stoop and/or bend over while performing farm balfour such as weeding, irrigating, pruning, spacing, picking, removing debris, etc.
• Performing repetitive movements such as picking, sorting, pruning, shoveling, weeding, etc.
• Lift or load up to 50 pounds
• Fieldwork begins at an assigned time shortly after daylight
• Work may be performed during environmental extremes including but not limited to light rain and in high humidity and in freezing or high temperatures.
• May be required to work when crops are wet with dew/rain and should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions
• Must be able to walk across uneven terrain.

Professional Mindset:

• Develops a working knowledge and awareness of LEAN principles and actively participates in building a culture of continuous improvement. Strives to ensure workflow processes and stations are set up to minimize waste, improve working conditions and safety, and maximize productivity and value to the customer.
• Demonstrates commitment to learning and upholding company policies including safety and quality standards, and the mission, vision, principles and ethics of WWNC.
• Develops a strong understanding of industry and WWNC quality standards and consistently delivers work that meets or exceeds those standards by following procedures, checking work for accuracy, and promptly addressing defects or issues.
• Takes initiative for personal growth by actively “learning the business”, seeking feedback from peers and supervisors, and engaging in relevant educational, training or professional development opportunities.

Other requirements

• Due to this position being an agricultural growing position, you may be required to work 7 days a week depending on seasonal growing conditions.
• Must go through annual WPS training

Direct Reports:

• Sticking Technicians

Employee Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance
• 401 (k)
• Paid time off
• Aflac & LifeFlight options