Plant Health Technician

OBJECTIVE / ACCOUNTABILITY

To serve as a vital member of the Plant Health team by protecting and enhancing nursery crop quality through expert pest management, proactive monitoring, and safe, precise chemical application. This role combines technical expertise, regulatory compliance, and collaborative teamwork to ensure healthy plant production, operational excellence, and a safe working environment for all.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

 Control/Suppression of pests and disease

• Maintain license as Pesticide Operator.
• Develop knowledge of diseases and insects.
• Develop knowledge of individual chemicals and chemical uses.
• Develop knowledge of different application methods and their purposes.
• Monitor crops for diseases and pests on a regular basis as directed by supervisor.
• Communicate properly-identified diseases, insects, and weeds to direct supervisor and growers.
• Support department growers with cultural control methods of pests and diseases.
• Perform the necessary applications, with the proper equipment, in a consistent, safe, and efficient manner.
• Apply proper chemicals at necessary dosages to maximize effectiveness.
• Record application information.

Plant Health responsibilities:

• Communicate tasks and agenda with supervisor daily.
• Help train spray assistants and growers on proper pest identification and control.
• Talk to co-workers before and after spraying about what is being treated.
• Aid co-workers in tasks delegated by the direct supervisor.
• Support company policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with internal customers.

Safety Responsibilities:

• Wear all required personal protective gear when handling chemicals.
• Attend, participate, and occasionaly lead tailgate trainings.
• Be aware of own safety and the safety of others by checking spray suits, respirators, boots, and applicable equipment before every application.
• Communicate with growers before and after applications as to what is being treated.
• Visibly post "Danger" signs prior to application and collect when REI has passed.
• Keep records of chemicals used in a visible location in case of emergency.
• Be aware of emergency procedures and locations of first aid kits, emergency spill kits, and eye wash stations. Be aware of each chemical and all information included on the chemical label.

 Equipment and Facility responsibilities

• Keep equipment clean of chemical residues by cleaning tank, truck bed, and any contaminated vehicle parts on a scheduled basis.
• Responsible for keeping chemical storage facilities clean, organized, locked, and safe.
• Responsible for storing all chemical inventory in an organized manner.
• Responsible for keeping a detailed chemical inventory at all times.
• Communicate problems with equipment to supervisor immediately upon discovery.
• Fill out vehicle and equipment maintenance forms and demonstrate completion of form to supervisor upon request.
• Be prepared to take the appropriate actions in case of vehicle or equipment malfunctions or failure.
• Fill out and submit maintenance request forms upon discovery of vehicle problems in a timely manner.
• Check truck and sprayer motor oil on a weekly basis

Plant Health responsibilities:

• Maintain and improve plant health knowledge throughout continuing education.
• Establish regular disease and insect monitoring schedule of Il Nursery. 
• Carry out pesticide applications as directed from the Plant Health Manager.
• Keep pesticide records.
• Make sure proper personal protective equipment is being used and report any violations to the Plant Health manager.
• Ensure that pesticide signs are posted in treated areas and removed after reentry period has expired.
• Coordinate spray crew. Those duties include: creating herbicide application list of areas need be sprayed. Communicate with department growers to arrange irrigation before application and relocating production workers away from the spray area .Provide the proper chemicals, calculate rates and follow pesticide label instructions. Give time frame for completing the daily tasks. Provide feedback. 
• Create weeding list and communicate weeding with department and area growers.
• Maintain open line of communication with Plant Health Manager, Illinois Pesticide Operators and department growers.
• Monitor soil fertility and irrigation management with the department growers to ensure optimum growing conditions for nursery stock.
• Keep spray equipment in clean working condition and conduct regular vehicle inspection.
• Maintain clean, orderly and locked when not in use chemical storage rooms. 
• Attend team company meetings.

Inventory responsibilities:

• Keep chemical inventory
• Rotate inventory
• Consolidate inventory
• Coordinating inventory with other nurseries. 
• Keep safety supplies and protective equipment inventory.

Communication:

• Maintain proper communication with all members of the Plant Health staff.
• Reporting any found pests to the Nursery Manager and plant health staff.
• Maintain proper communication with Department Growers.

Personal growth and Department Support-

• Acquire necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Cross train and learn other tasks and responsibilities in the division.
• Carry out other tasks or responsibilities as assigned by the Plant Health Manager.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

• Valid Illinois Driver’s License
• Ability to acquire and maintain an Illinois Pesticide Operator License

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCES

• 3–5 years of general nursery or horticultural production experience
• Minimum 2 years of experience operating agricultural or nursery equipment (tractor, forklift, skid loader, sprayer equipment)
• Associate degree in Horticulture or related field preferred (or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience)
• Prior experience in pesticide application, plant health monitoring, or crop scouting preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strong knowledge (or ability to develop knowledge) of plant diseases, insects, weeds, and integrated pest management practices
• Understanding of pesticide labels, chemical uses, application methods, and rate calculations
• Strong attention to detail in chemical mixing, application accuracy, and documentation
• Ability to coordinate spray crew activities and prioritize daily tasks
• Effective verbal communication skills across departments
• Ability to train and support team members in pest identification and safe handling procedures
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Physical ability to operate equipment, lift materials and perform manual tasks as required
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred. 
  
  

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance options
• Employer paid life and short term disability insurance
• 401k
• Paid time off and paid holidays 
• Employee discounts

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Proudly ranked as a 2024 + 2025 Top Work Place in several categories, including Woman-Led companies and Cultural Excellence for Professional Development.  Midwest Groundcovers has been growing and propagating over 20 million of the finest wholesales plants in the Midwest. Although Groundcovers are our specialty, Midwest Groundcovers’ plant offerings include Evergreens and Broadleaves, Deciduous Shrubs, Perennials, Ornamental Grasses, Vines and Native Prairie, Wetland and Woodland species. We are leaders in the Green Industry in partnering with landscape architects, landscape designers, green roof and plant professionals to create inspiring planting combination solutions. Experts in plants for Midwestern durability and sustainability for over five decades.