Job Description – Orchid Grower
Job Purpose
The Eric Young Orchid Foundation is looking for an Orchid Grower. This person will be a professional horticulturalist responsible for maintaining and caring for a portion of the orchid collection at EYOF. The Orchid Grower will be assigned one to two greenhouses to care for, containing approximately 3,000 – 5,000 plants each, and will be responsible for watering, fertilizing, repotting, and maintaining all the plants assigned to them as well as the greenhouse space with excellence. They will report to the Greenhouse Manager and constitute a part of the Greenhouse Team. This person will be a trained and experienced orchid grower, able to effectively communicate their orchid knowledge with others and participate in the representation of the Foundation on a global scale.
Main Responsibilities
· Cultivate one to two of the greenhouses, providing excellent culture for the orchids within
· Water and fertilize the orchids according to their needs and best practices
· Repot orchids in a skilled and nuanced manner, on time and efficiently
· Monitor and maintain all the cultural conditions in their assigned greenhouse, in coordination with the Greenhouse Manager
· Maintain an environment conducive to plant health, sanitary and pest free
· Maintain a clean and neat workspace
· Work on team projects as needed and requested
· Participate in orchid show preparation, installation, teardown, and staffing
· Interact with guests in a polite and professional manner, able to explain and educate about orchids on an advanced level
· Engage with the public and other orchid professionals through formal and informal speaking engagements, tours, written works, and conversations
· Travel on behalf of the Foundation to international orchid shows, conferences, and events
· Make hybrids in conjunction with the Greenhouse Manager and Curator in accordance with the Hybridization Map, as required
· Obtain and hold a pesticide license and apply pesticides as needed
· Maintain accurate labeling practices in the greenhouses
· Record all relevant data for plants under their care using the appropriate programs and software (Hortis, Excel, etc.)
· Utilize standard computer applications effectively, such as email, word processing programs, computing applications, and presentation programs
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required
· Will be an experienced horticulturalist, with five years in the horticulture industry and/or three years growing orchids professionally, or the equivalent thereof
· Will have a horticultural education or degree, able to understand, explain, and teach others the fundamentals of horticulture, or equivalent thereof
· Will understand orchid nomenclature, taxonomic principles, and hybridization records
· Will be able to demonstrate an understanding of orchid hybridization, principles of hybridization, and have some experience making hybrids
· Will be diligent and detail-oriented, able to attend to the multifaceted needs of orchids
· Will be able to work well with others, and receive and follow directions from their manager
· Will be able to use technology appropriately and effectively, and be familiar with key programs (PRIVA, Hortis, Excel)
· Will understand greenhouse management systems, and how to utilize them to create the correct cultural conditions
· Will be able to share information about orchids effectively with others in a clear and consistent manner
· Will adhere to all EYOF safety policies and procedures
· Will support the goals and initiatives of EYOF
· Will be able to lift 23kg
· Willing to work greenhouse duty coverage and special events which require occasional weekend work, and evening availability in case of emergency
Pay: From £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person
