Cultivation Technician

Iowa Cannabis Company in Iowa City, IA is currently seeking Cultivation Technicians to join our team at our state-of-the-art cannabis production facility. Join us in our mission to provide high-quality medical cannabis products to patients across Iowa. As a leader in the industry, we are committed to innovation and excellence in the extraction process.  We currently operate three medical dispensaries in the state of Iowa, along with our medical cannabis manufacturing facility. 

Job Summary

Are you passionate about plants and eager to join the booming cannabis industry? We at Iowa Cannabis Company are on the lookout for a dedicated Cultivation Technician to join our team at our modern cannabis growing and processing facility. Here’s a chance to turn your botanical skills into a rewarding career.

Growth & Compensation Progression:

• Starting Rate: $17.00/hr
• 90-Day Milestone: Advance to $19.24/hr upon completing core operational and safety sign-offs.
• Long-Term Advancement: Clear, objective pathways to earn higher-tier roles as you master technical operations and leadership skills.

• 100% paid on-the-job training in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, compliance, and operational principles.
• Company-sponsored state licensing and certifications.
• Predictable facility scheduling (M–F, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM).

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in all phases of the cultivation process
• Take care of our cannabis plants, ensuring they are healthy and growing well.
• Daily check and maintain the equipment to ensure everything is working properly.
• Keep a sharp eye on the plants, recording important data and spotting any issues like pests or nutrient problems early on.
• Work with our plants through all their growth stages, from the time they are small clones to the bountiful harvest at the end.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• You’ll be working in a fast-paced environment, where your problem-solving skills will come in handy, especially under the warm glow of our cultivation lights.
• Be part of an energetic team committed to producing top-quality cannabis.
• This is a full-time position with a weekly schedule of 30-40 hours. Additionally, there's the potential to earn more with up to 10 overtime hours available per week, based on our production demands.

Are you ready to dive into the world of cannabis cultivation and contribute to our thriving industry? If yes, step into the role of a Cultivation Technician at Iowa Cannabis Company and enjoy a fulfilling journey with our dynamic team. Apply today on Indeed and start a new chapter in your horticultural career.

Essential Functions

Plant Care & Cultivation

• Perform plant work across all stages of growth in line with the production schedule, including transplanting rooted clones, topping/pruning vegetative plants, and trellising/training branches during the flowering cycle to maintain a uniform canopy
• Take cuttings from mother plants, prepare grow media, and propagate cuttings into grow medium
• Prune mother plants according to cultivar and cloning needs
• Conduct daily strain stability checks across production and R&D strains

Irrigation & Nutrient Application

• Hand water and irrigate plants according to size and growth stage, per SOPs; maintain irrigation lines
• Mix and apply nutrients, soil drenches, and foliar sprays; measure EC and pH of nutrient solutions

Plant Health & Monitoring

• Perform daily plant health checks and environmental monitoring; log and track data using FloEnvy and Growlink software
• Identify, scout for, and report pests, pathogens, poor plant health, and nutrient deficiencies/toxicities
• Release beneficial/predatory insects as part of integrated pest management

Harvest & Packaging

• Harvest plants at the end of their growth cycle and fill flowering rooms with vegetative plants
• Package cannabis flower, concentrates, and vape products for sale; affix tags/labels to plants and packages

Facility Maintenance & Sanitation

• Perform daily room and equipment maintenance checks
• Maintain a clean, sterile working environment, including deep cleaning, disinfection, and general janitorial tasks (cleaning tables, mopping floors) throughout the facility
• Follow strict biosecurity protocols, including sanitation of tools and personal hygiene practices

Standards & Compliance

• Follow and help uphold the company's Standard Operating Procedures across all cultivation tasks

Working Conditions

• Job duties may include work indoors and outdoors during all seasons, 365 days/year.
• Cultivation rooms run warm (75+°F) to support plant health.
• Employees may be exposed to difficult or stressful vendor, customer, or employee situations requiring patience and professionalism to effectively handle.
• Work duties may require sedentary activities, active standing, stooping and/or kneeling. 
• Production facility operates 365 days a year with shifts typically occurring between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.  Job responsibilities occasionally fall outside of typical shifts. 
• Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, hearing protection and safety glasses.
• The production facility may have strong odors and varying temperatures due to the cultivation and processing of cannabis.
• Employees may be required to work in confined spaces, such as plant growing areas or extraction rooms.
• Exposure to potential allergens, such as pollen or plant materials.
• The use of chemicals and pesticides is common in a cannabis production facility, which may require employees to follow strict safety protocols and wear additional PPE.
• Noise levels in the facility may be loud due to equipment or machinery operations.
• The facility has strict security measures, including video surveillance and restricted access, to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent theft.
• Regular cleaning and sanitization of the work area required to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
• Able to work in low oxygen areas.
• Capable of working with or around caustic and potentially harmful chemicals.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be able to regularly lift 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 200 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to complete job duties that involve frequent bending, reaching, and carrying of heavy materials or equipment.
• Must be able to stand for up to eight hours per day.
• Must be able to proficiently operate computers, tablets and other productivity machinery and technology.
• Must be able to reliably arrive at work on time for scheduled shifts.
• Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder to service displays, products, or service ceiling lights.
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Must be able to move about the retail store, as needed, to assist customers and perform required functions.
• Must be able to remain in a designated work area for up to eight hours per day with the exception of breaks as required by law. 
• Must be able to position oneself to access products within all areas of the production facility.
• Must be able to effectively communicate information and ideas so vendors, customers and coworkers will understand. Must be able to convey and exchange accurate information in these situations.   
• Must be able to continue to assist vendors, customers and coworkers during and after stressful situations resulting from interactions.
• Must be able to accurately observe details at close range in order to recognize, identify, detect, determine and assess objects.
• Must be able to prepare, place and position retail products or items.
• Must be able to effectively communicate information displayed on digital screens.
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or college degree
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Record grow data for as required
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be and remain compliant with any and all regulatory requirements for working in the cannabis industry
• Must be able to internalize training and follow instructions consistently
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
  
  

Benefits and Compensation

• Pay starts at $17/hr.
• Employee discount includes 50% for Iowa medical cannabis card holders
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance. 
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering in-person, telephonic, texting and video counseling for help with stress, anxiety, depression, family issues, and more.
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL).
• Holiday Pay for anyone working New Years Day, 4/20, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Iowa Cannabis Company is an equal opportunity employer that believes in promoting a diverse workplace and creating a working environment in which all employees are provided with equal employment opportunities. The company will not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any term or condition of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other protected class or characteristic established under applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance.

On May 12, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 524 into law, allowing use of medical cannabidiol to treat certain debilitating medical conditions. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health: "The Act provides that a person recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer cannabidiol if the recommendation, possession, use, dispensing, delivery, transporting, or administering is in accordance with chapter 124E of the Iowa Code."  This law also allows patients and designated primary caregivers to possess cannabidiol and requires the recommendation of a board certified physician.