Assistant Grower at Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Job Overview: Supports daily greenhouse operations by assisting with the propagation and production of annuals, mums, and poinsettias, including monitoring and maintaining plant health. The role requires strong horticultural knowledge, the ability to learn and implement procedures quickly, and sound judgment in prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines. Consistent organization, effective communication, reliability, and effective collaboration with supervisors and horticulture staff are essential to supporting team goals and maintaining operational efficiency.

Create Your Path: The Work You’ll Do:

• With guidance from the Greenhouse Supervisor, will independently clean, water, fertilize,chemically treat, and transplant a variety of greenhouse crops
• Works closely and communicates efficiently with the greenhouse supervisor to maintain effective workflow
• Monitors plant health and addresses insect and disease issues using biological controls and chemical applications
• Identifies plant varieties and understands their specific growing conditions
• Researches new plant introductions, pest and disease control methods, and industry trends.
• Performs continual sanitation of greenhouse spaces including tables, floors, drainage systems, walls, and equipment
• Prepares greenhouse for production by cleaning, disinfecting, and organizing supplies (pots, trays, carts, tools)
• Maintains a consistent sanitation program to ensure optimal plant health
• Maintains and installs greenhouse irrigation and chemigation systems
• Cleans, disinfects, programs, and monitors irrigation systems; identifies and fixes leaks; performs calibration checks
• Assists with installation of hoses and other greenhouse equipment
• Accurately records and organizes data related to plant care, treatments, and environmental conditions
• Conducts inventory counts and maintains up-to-date stock records
• Prepares production materials and ensures availability of necessary supplies
• Occasional duties
  • Provides traffic control during special events
  • Assists with the installation of holiday displays
  • Supports perennial maintenance with Plan Production supervisor and staff
  • Participates in the removal of snow from entrances, sidewalks, and roadways
  • More than occasional weekend watering and evening cooldowns may be required
  • Personal time off may not be approved in the months of March and April, and on occasion, during the summer due to high production and deliveries. This excludes cases of emergency

Required Experience:

• Associate’s degree in Horticulture or related field and/or 2 years of growing/greenhouse experience.
• Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License, or able to obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Experience with all types of pesticides
• Requires knowledge/experience with annuals.
• Ability to operate, or willingness to learn to operate, small-engine landscaping and snow removal equipment
• Industrial Truck Driving permit may be required (forklift)
• Intermediate computer skills required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Valid Class D driver’s license may be required
• Personal time off may not be approved in the months of March and April, and on occasion, during the summer due to high production and deliveries. This excludes cases of emergency.

Outstanding Benefits & Awesome Perks: At the SMSC, we are invested in our Team Members, as demonstrated by the competitive benefits we offer. Team Members may be eligible for benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and a generous PTO package, which includes outreach hours for volunteer work through our #SMSCgives outreach program. Plus, take advantage of perks like discounts on childcare, fuel, bus passes and fitness membership, free uniforms and free uniform cleaning, and tuition reimbursement.

Who We Are: The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community contributes both time and financial resources across the region, state, and country. The SMSC has donated more than $400 million to organizations and causes, provided $500 million in economic development loans to other tribes, and contributed millions more to support regional governments and infrastructure. The SMSC's Native Green initiative annually diverts hundreds of tons of waste from landfills, has implemented compostable containers throughout our properties, and restored hundreds of acres of prairie land. Team members are eligible to participate in SMSC Gives, a community outreach initiative that organizes various opportunities in the local community. To empower its team members to take part in the Dakota tradition of giving, the SMSC provides paid hours to team members to volunteer at events. Learn more at shakopeedakota.org.