Horticultural & Glasshouse Technician

Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) Ltd is one of four UK Agri-Tech Centres launched under BEIS supported by Innovate UK in 2015. As a unique, independent nexus between UK government, researchers and industry, CHAP builds innovation networks to identify and accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to drive transformative change in sustainable crop productivity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Work as part of multiorganizational team to deliver high quality protected crop growth and research trials at the Natural Light Growing Centre. Duties will include but not be limited to all aspects of crop production, pest and disease control, harvesting crops and data collection. Provide timely reporting and associated documentation in line with CHAP reporting cycles. Maintain accurate and update records as required.

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

Essential

• Educated to GSCE level including English, Mathematics and a Science / horticulture related subject or equivalent and/or NVQ3 or have relevant level of previous horticultural knowledge and experience
• Qualified in NPTC FEPA 1 & 6 (recently updated) or equivalent City & Guilds 0215649 & 021654 with experience of working in crop production environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of plant growth, husbandry and health
• Experience of plant growth and irrigation systems to ensure correct nutrition and optimised production
• Experience and knowledge in the identification and control of plant pests and diseases
• Excellent housing keeping and hygiene standards in a crop production environment
• Experience of operating machinery and equipment safely
• Able to meet and maintain health and safety requirements in the workspace
• Maintain accurate and up to date records
• Good communication skills verbal and written
• Collaborative, able compliment the work of all stakeholders
• Independent, comfortable working on own
• Motivated and able to prioritise responsibilities

Desirable

• Experience of using Priva or similar greenhouse control system
• Experience of sowing and propagation of a range of crops
• Basic knowledge of biological control e.g. use of predatory arthropods and nematodes
• Managing release and care of pollinators in crop production environment
• Experience using high level harvesting equipment
• Experience of vine crop growing on high wires
• Experience of working in a research environment