Horticulture & Lab Technician

Horticulture Technician (ImpAct Internship)

Full-Time, Hourly, fixed-term for 9 months starting September 2024

Based in Ottawa, ON

Research & Development Department

About Growcer:

The Growcer is an innovative agri-tech startup launched in Ottawa in 2016, specializing in the manufacturing and design of modular hydroponic systems that enable commercial food production in plug-and-play 40 ft. modules.  Its vertical farming technology enables customers to grow fresh vegetables in virtually any climate, having been deployed within the Arctic Circle below -50°C. Growcer has empowered conventional farmers, entrepreneurs, communities and institutions to grow food locally all year round. Growcer's work has been recognized with awards including Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and the Entrepreneurs' Organization and was featured on Season 13 of CBC's hit show, Dragons' Den.

Internship Funding:

The Growcer recently received funding to support a nine-month contract through the Science Horizons program. The Science Horizons program create opportunities for interns to work with employers in the environmental science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors.

The Growcer is looking for a driven individual with a “self-starter attitude” as the Company enters the next phase of rapid growth and scales across North America. Effective interns are tenacious, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and are comfortable working on big-picture challenges with lots of autonomy. All positions and work responsibilities tie back to our mission of empowering people to feed the world more sustainably, and applicants who are laser-focused on contributing to the creation of a better food system will find a workplace and team that shares their vision for sustainable agriculture.

Science Horizons Internship Funding Requirements:

The Growcer administers this internship funding in accordance with the Science Horizons Internship program requirements. In accordance with the funding terms, all applicants must be:

• be new (not yet employed) to the organization applying for funding;

• be aged 30 or under at the beginning of the internship;

• be a graduate from a post-secondary institution (does not have to be a STEM grad) – Canadian or International

• a Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;

• be legally entitled to work in Canada according to the relevant provincial and Canadian legislation and regulations; and

• not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

• have not participated in any of The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programs targeted at post-secondary graduates.

Reconciliation:

The Growcer team acknowledges that we work with many Territories and Treaty areas and we are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us and the youth that inspire us.

We recognize the land and the benefits it provides all of us, as an act of Reconciliation, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on, work on or are visiting.

Growcer is committed to progressing the path of Reconciliation in a deeply meaningful way, in partnership with Indigenous and First Nations Peoples and is dedicated to fulfilling our role and responsibilities in this regard.

About the Role:

The Horticulture Technician will work closely with Growcer’s horticulture research staff to collect research data and maintain plant health, plant productivity, and the operation of equipment and systems in our Ottawa research facilities.

What You'll Do:

• Support literature reviews and the development of research proposals and future planning initiatives as advised by research project leads or the Director of R&D respectively.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the tasks and procedures associated with multiple types of hydroponic growing techniques and related technologies.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, sensors, and perform quality control activities, including, but not limited to maintenance, calibration, and cleaning.
• Be involved in validation of equipment and systems, troubleshooting of equipment malfunctions and installation of new equipment.
• Understand the safe operation of tools and equipment, cleaning techniques, and appropriate personal protective equipment use to maintain personal safety and integrity of the research facilities.
• Through communication with research project leads, be responsible for the set up and maintenance of experiments including nutrient mixing and fertigation, pest management activities, plant measurements, harvests, data collection and entry.
• Be accountable for weekly deadlines and deliverables as they relate to your tasks, and communicate any deviations in a timely manner to research project leads.
• Stay informed of and follow applicable regulations, such as pesticide use regulations, waste disposal and food safety regulations, as part of research projects you support.
• Be responsible for executing on short-term sub-projects as they relate to internal needs or customer requirements in collaboration with other research staff.
• Be willing and able to support retrofit activities for existing and future research infrastructure.

Skills and Competencies:

• Reliable and highly efficient at completing repetitive tasks to ensure high quality data is collected from experiments.
• Ability to reliably follow standard operating procedures and comply with Growcer’s food safety plan.
• Ability to work independently and manage own priorities based on direction from supervisors.
• Ability to be accountable to multiple projects at once and prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Ability to plan ahead, be flexible with project deadlines and priorities, and anticipate challenges based on project goals.
• Ability and willingness to conduct hands-on, repetitive work in confined agricultural and laboratory settings.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and ability to update spreadsheets and documents.
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds and occasionally lift items weighing more than 50 pounds with assistance.
• Passionate about teamwork and contributing to cross-departmental tasks, as needed.

Assets:

• College diploma in horticulture or similar field.
• Knowledge & experience with hydroponic growing (liquid and/or soilless culture) and associated technologies.
• Knowledge & experience with leafy green, herb, and/or berry production.
• Ontario Grower Pesticide Safety Course card or experience with integrated pest management programs.
• Experience with installing or troubleshooting controlled environment agriculture control systems (e.g. Argus, Priva, Growlink, etc.) and/or plant irrigation systems.
• Experience with installing or troubleshooting plumbing, electrical, and/or HVAC systems in small buildings.
• Attention to detail and passion for producing a quality product.
• Understanding of safe use and care of common power tools, fasteners, and related equipment.

Accommodation:

The Growcer is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you feel you need accommodation(s) because of illness, disability, or other special need at any time during the recruitment process, please contact careers@thegrowcer.ca.