Technician, Cultivation

Job summary

The Technician, Cultivation is responsible for executing day-to-day activities within the Cultivation department at the Coast R&D facility in Comox, BC. Reporting to the Manager, Cultivation, this role supports plant health and care throughout all stages of the plant lifecycle while contributing to the successful execution of research and development activities. Working in a dynamic R&D environment, the Technician, Cultivation performs a broad range of hands-on activities, including propagation, planting and transplanting, pruning, defoliation, trellising, crop & IPM scouting, threshing, harvesting as well as cleaning & sanitation activities. The role requires flexibility to work across different areas of cultivation based on changing crop, operational, and research priorities. The Technician, Cultivation maintains accurate records and ensures our cultivation areas are clean, organized, while maintaining strict biosecurity measures in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs), research protocols, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and production schedules.

Major Responsibilities/Duties:

• Perform day-to-day cultivation activities throughout the plant lifecycle, including propagation, planting and transplanting, pruning, defoliation, trellising, crop & IPM scouting, threshing, cleaning & harvesting activities.
• Execute tasks in alignment with daily work plans and production targets.
• Release biological control agents (BCA’s) as part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
• Report issues such as pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental stress or other concerns to the Manager, Cultivation as noted during day-to-day activities.
• Perform propagation activities, including preparation and collection of cuttings, cloning, transplanting, and care of young plants.
• Prepare propagation materials, equipment, trays, media, and work areas in accordance with established procedures.
• Accurately record information in applicable tracking systems or documentation as required.
• Support crop transitions, room turnovers, plant movements, and other cultivation activities based on crop schedules and research priorities.
• Follow established cultivation procedures while adapting daily activities to meet changing crop and R&D program requirements.
• Maintain accurate plant identification, labeling, and traceability throughout cultivation activities.
• Perform routine cleaning and sanitation activities.
• Complete required documentation accurately, as directed, and in compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Support cross-functional teams as needed.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned by the Cultivation Manager or designate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must adhere to Health Canada’s Cannabis Act.
• Must adhere to all internal Health, Safety & Environment requirements as well as WorkSafe BC and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Adhere to the company code of conduct and all applicable SOPs.
• Strong organizational, time management, and comprehension skills.
• Strong physical abilities.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability and desire to work with people at all levels of the organization.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn cultivation, inventory, and data-tracking systems.

Education & Experience:

• Previous experience in an agricultural or horticultural setting an asset
• Previous experience in a manufacturing setting an asset

Working Conditions:

• Most/all working hours will be spent in production.
• Full PPE is to be must worn during working hours according to our site requirements; certain duties also require use of a respirator including but not limited to a N95.
• Physical effort is required, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 55 lbs.
• Temperatures range from 18 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and after hours as required.
• Repetitive use of hands, wrists, and forearms.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• This position involves significant exposure to cannabis/plant materials, and it is therefore not likely suitable for an employee that may suffer from allergies to cannabis/plant pollen material, or experience other medical issues, such as asthma and hay fever, as a result of cannabis/plant material exposure.

Why you’ll love working at Aurora

Our people are at the heart of everything we do here at Aurora, and we take pride in fostering an inclusive space that inspires our team to love where they work! From rewarding career opportunities to flexible work environments to team activities, we go above and beyond to prioritize your success and here’s how we do it...

• Total rewards: we will motivate you to go above and beyond with a competitive hourly wage (with shift premiums), stock options, an RRSP program, annual bonuses, and a health and personal care spending account for you to use for gym memberships, ski-trips or staycations.
• Benefits: we will foster your health and wellness (and your dependents) with our employee benefits package including, employer-paid health and dentalcare premiums, life insurance and LTD policies and a medical cannabis coverage program, designed exclusively for our A-Team, that will provide you with coverage each year (because we truly believe cannabis is the best medicine).
• Life-long learning: we’re lifelong learners here at Aurora and will invest in your professional development throughout all aspects of your career! You will have access to a tuition assistance program, virtual learning activities and annual performance reviews, to ensure you are provided with the toolkit and support you need to succeed.
• Perks: we love to celebrate our people by providing corporate perks including employee discounts, perkopolis memberships, company SWAG, paid volunteer time, and modern technology.
• Team: we are a diverse and global team of cannabis enthusiasts, energetic innovators, fitness gurus, caring parents, foodies and more, with a collective passion to nurture an inclusive environment that helps you grow and provide people better days with medical cannabis.