Senior Glasshouse Technician

Fresh Horticultural Careers is seeking a Senior Glasshouse Technician in East Malling, UK. The role involves plant care, including growing genetically modified crops, monitoring environmental systems, and applying plant protection products. The technician will work in glasshouses and fields, requiring physical activity and the ability to manage workload peaks. Training is provided, and the position demands good organizational skills and horticultural knowledge.
FHC are partnering with NIAB to source a Senior Glasshouse Technician to join their tam in East Malling.

The Project Technician will be responsible for delivering specific project goals from detailed protocols for internal and external customers. This may include growing genetically modified crops and working with plant protection products.

The role involves working in glasshouse, polytunnel and field, carrying out all aspects of plant care.

The postholder has responsibility for certain tasks, working unsupervised at times. The postholder is expected to take an active part in team meetings, organise their own work and provide feedback on progress.

Close liaison with the Glasshouse Supervisor, Head of Glass and Science staff about plant culture is essential - often daily during the height of the growing season. The postholder is responsible for alerting the Glasshouse Supervisor, Head of Glass and Science staff to problems and implementing solutions following discussion.

Training will be provided where necessary. There is a comprehensive career skills and training matrix which is used to help develop knowledge and skills.

Financial authority/responsibility

No direct budget responsibilities but required to make efficient use of consumables.

Key tasks/responsibilities

As part of the Glasshouse team to provide a high standard of service delivery to all users of the Glasshouse facilities from the Science departments:

Husbandry of experimental material, including monitoring on environmental computer control systems, weeding & aftercare - 15%

Spray applications all year round - 25%

Plant Propagation- 10%

Watering/checking experimental material-to include checking irrigation systems - 15%

Forklift & Tractor driving also other horticultural vehicles - 10%

Potting up a variety of crops - 15%

Trial picking and recording - 10%

Primarily based at the glasshouse complex on the Niab site at East Malling (Kent), with occasional work off site.

Due to peaks in workload it may not be possible to take holiday at certain times of the year unless pre-arranged with sufficient notice.

Physically demanding work. Constant physical activity – walking, standing, bending and manual handling of items up to 20 kg.

Working outdoors in any weather condition at all times of the year, meaning exposure to sunlight and rain. Working in glasshouses polytunnels in high temperatures.

Sufferers from hay fever or other allergies could experience problems.

Regular exposure to:

Plant materials, plant pathogens, pollen, bees and other insects.

to dust e.g. soil particles.

There may be occasional exposure to chemicals e.g. those used to fertilise and treat plants.

Lone working in field and glasshouse areas.

Part of Weekend and Bank Holiday watering rota throughout the year.

Person Specification

Essential:

‘A’ levels or equivalent qualifications/experience

Pesticide application training (PA1 and PA6)

Recognised qualification or work experience in horticulture

Good organisational skills with the ability to cope with high seasonal workload and conflicting requirements

Knowledge of a range of horticultural plant species

Practical experience of working with plants

Accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to work to specific protocols

Flexibility – able to work alone as well as working effectively as part of a small team, good team worker

A strong interest in plants and a proactive approach to learning

Ability to work unsupervised

Physically fit and able to do manual lifting

Willingness to work in polytunnels, glasshouses and field in all weather conditions

Driving license required for operating vehicles and machinery on and off of site

Desirable:

Competency in Microsoft Office 365 applications – Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Powerpoint

Forklift & Tractor driving also other horticultural vehicles