Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Scout

Company Description: Windmill Nursery is a mid-sized family and employee-owned business whose combined history of growing quality plants extends over 120 years. We are rooted in servicing Garden Centers, re-Wholesale Customers, and Landscape Contractors across 1/3 of the United States.  At Windmill, we know how important dependability is to our customers. We also believe that our most valuable asset is our people and are blessed to have a team that works hard to provide excellent quality and service to our customers.

Job Description:  A field Scout is responsible for monitoring, recording, sampling and reporting pest activity on and around our crops.  These pests include insects, fungi, pathogens, and weeds.  Field Scout will work closely with crop production teams. This individual will work hands-on monitoring the crops, ensure accurate reports of the crops’ health and wellness are relayed to management, and implement IPM strategies designated by the IPM manager.

Main Purpose:  To implement cost-effective and safe plant protection approaches and protect ornamental crops from economical pests to ensure higher productivity and quality of crops.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Weekly/Monthly Tasks:

  • Compiling IPM and conventional reports for management review

  • Monitoring efficiencies of control measures used

  • Facilitating trials of new commercial products

  • Follow through in a timely manner of management plans on plant health

  • Collecting and shipping of tissue, soil and water samples for lab analysis

Daily Tasks:

  • Monitoring and scouting of plants for pest and disease

  • Complete daily scout reports

  • Planning, organizing, training and assigning scout duties as required

  • Supervision of IPM protocols of pest and disease management

  • Maintaining up-to-date records

Requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology, Horticulture, Agriculture or related fields

  • Candidate MUST be a self-motivated and detail-oriented person with high drive to be able to focus in a high-tempo environment with ability to adapt to changing situations daily.

  • Must be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions 

  • Good communication skills both written and verbal

  • Ability to complete repetitive tasks efficiently and accurately

  • Experience or knowledge in horticultural crop production (preferred)