Grow Room Technician - Night Shift (6 P.M. - 6 A.M.)

Pay for this position is $19.00/hour.

AeroFarms offers benefits that include enrollment in 401k, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, PTO, and more.

Working Conditions: The AeroFarms facility has two areas: one is warm and humid: 80 degrees, the other is cold at 35 degrees. You are required to wear PPE provided by AeroFarms, including a facemask in the GMP/food production areas.

ABOUT AEROFARMS:

AeroFarms is transforming agriculture with people and the planet in mind. As a Certified B Corporation and a pioneer in indoor vertical farming, we use the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and plant biology to fix our broken food system and improve the way fresh produce is grown. Leading the industry, AeroFarms has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies five years in a row, topped Fortune Magazine’s 2022 Change the World Company List and recognized as one of the 95 “Brands That Matter” by Fast Company. We have built a proprietary agriculture platform to grow a wide array of products, delivering superior flavor, better quality, and improved nutrition with the highest levels of traceability and food safety in our industry. Now in over 1,000+ store fronts across the nation, we are scaling our award-winning brand and technology both nationally and internationally.

As AeroFarms approaches our next phase of explosive growth, we seek out creative, motivated humans who run toward problems without hesitation to find creative solutions. Join us to change the world as we grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity.

Job Title: Grow Room Technician

Job Description:

Position Summary: We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically skilled Grow Room Technician to support our indoor farming operating and maintenance efforts, with a primary focus on Microgreen products. In this role, you will be responsible for performing repairs of Growing System Plumbing and Mechanical Systems, maintaining system cleanliness, collaborating with Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA), Engineering and Growing personnel to implement procedures and ensure the delivery of efficiently grown, high quality microgreens to our customers. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in maintaining the Quality and Efficiency of our Grow Room Operations reporting directly to the Head Grower with a dotted line to the Reliability Manager and Field Engineering

Shift: Nights, 6PM-6AM

Responsibilities:

1. Safety and Compliance
   • Help in the development of a safety culture through the adherence and promotion of safety standards and consistent use of PPE to comply with company protocols including the handling of chemicals, working at elevated heights, and movement of bulk materials.
   • Use of protective fall harness and tie off when working at elevated levels.
   • Safely interact with Growing Systems including Plumbing and Mechanical systems to assist in the ongoing operation of our Vertical Farm
   • Monitor Growing Systems to ensure optimal conditions for growing plants including nutrient systems, lighting, and environmental controls.
   • Interact with automated systems such as irrigation systems, Clean-In-Place systems, airflow systems, material handling and conveyance system.
   • Scout and identify growing problems using Aerial Work Platforms and execute project-based movements/installations using material handling equipment such as Powered Industrial Trucks and stand up or walk behind forklifts.
   • Report any safety or compliance issues to the appropriate personnel.
2. Quality Control
   • Maintain quality throughout the grow room through finding and addressing irrigation issues.
   • Maintain quality of growing tubs and towers through maintenance and cleaning of irrigation plumbing systems including the execution of clean-in-place and deep cleaning protocols
   • Maintain the cleanliness of the growing facility through the monitoring and cleaning of Centralized Water and Nutrient Distribution system.
   • Maintain Grow Room Cleanliness in compliance with the area Master Sanitation Schedules including but not limited to mopping and vacuuming of any visible water.
   • Collaborate with FSQA, Engineering, and Growing to validate new or revised cleaning procedures.
   • Pull ATP swabs as needed to monitor quality of cleaning with decision making and ability to raise out of specification test results to FSQA and Supervisor
   • Conduct regular inspections of Production Equipment and Growing Products to proactively identify defects or irregularities and take corrective actions.
   • Complete any documentation or records in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures for the work areas.
3. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
   • Perform routine maintenance on Growing Systems and Mechanical systems related to Automation and Conveyance.
   • In collaboration with Flight Control Technicians, seek out and address issues with tower-stacker crane interactions that cause delays in production.
   • Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to implement and test new systems or modifications and report on efficacy or functionality.
   • Use of Hand and Power tools after training where appropriate to use Ratcheting Socket Drivers, Wrenches, Battery-Powered Drill or Impact Wrench, Hammers, Screw Drivers and Allen Wrenches
   • Use of Pipe Cement and Primer to address leaks.
   • Repair Material Handling equipment according to templates.
   • Log and Submit work orders to be addressed by Maintenance personnel.
4. Data Recording and Reporting
   • Maintain accurate records of operating conditions, maintenance activities, and any issues encountered.
   • Test and record critical parameters and chemical concentration.
   • Communicate performance metrics to supervisors and management.
5. Flexibility
   • Execute any other task deemed necessary by the Head Grower

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent (technical education or relevant certification is a plus)

• Proven experience in operating and maintaining automated systems.

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Familiarity with safety protocols and compliance standards

• Familiarity with Hand and/or Power Tools

• Familiarity with Mechanical Drawings or Assemblies, reading of blueprints and understanding of measurements and specifications.

• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing conditions.

• Willingness to work in a physically demanding and wet environment, including standing, lifting and bending.

• Working at elevated heights

• Preferred: Prior experience in a similar role within a Food Manufacturing or Industrial settings

As the Grow Room Technician, you will contribute to the advancement of indoor farming practices and the development of high-quality leafy green products. Your technical expertise and data management skills will be instrumental in conducting successful growing trials and contributing to the success of our production efforts.

Internal candidates seeking a promotion must have completed a minimum of six months in their current role and/or have less than four attendance points before becoming eligible for consideration.

In accordance with organizational protocol, employees will at times be required to fill absences in the operation process that are equal to or lower than their positional hierarchy. Additionally, if an employee is absent, the role of the absent employee is to be completed by their immediate superior.