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Are You Passionate About Plant Health and Integrated Pest Management?
Join our dynamic nursery team as a Crop Protection Manager, where your expertise will directly impact the health, quality, and success of our crops. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on professional who enjoys diagnosing plant health challenges, developing preventative strategies, and collaborating with growers and production teams to achieve exceptional plant quality.
Description: The crop protection department focuses on the overall health of the plants within the nursery. We have a crew of herbicide applicators and a crew of pesticide applicators (insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, miticide, molluscicide). We also assist in fertilizer applications through late winter and early spring. The crop protection department works synergistically with other departments to help produce healthy plants for sale. This department scouts for pests and diseases, diagnoses crop problems, sprays pesticides, and advises other departments on IPM practices to manage issues.
Responsibilities: The Crop Protection Manager (CPM) will be responsible for responding to all plant related problems found by scouts or any other worker in the nursery. He or she will inspect the plants in the field as well as take samples. The CPM should be able to identify most common fungal diseases and come to a reasonable conclusion based on symptomology and spore morphology. It is not expected that the CPM will determine causes for all affected plants. Any diseases or disorders that cannot be tested in house or that are of major economic importance can be sent to Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory for diagnosis. Once a determination has been made, the CPM will determine a spray program as well as speak with the grower about IPM practices that may alleviate the issue in the future. The CPM is responsible for chemical selection and rotations.
The CPM will also order materials such as lime for the potting shed. In the winter, the CPM and his Supervisors will collect well water usage data and submit it to the NJDEP. He or she will make sure that all applicators have been appropriately trained and have all PPE for the job. The CPM and possibly other managers will meet with the NJDA, NJDEP and any other state or federal agency during inspections or audits.
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Requirements:
Degree in Plant Pathology or a related field OR a minimum of five years of hands-on greenhouse and field growing experience in a leadership or decision-making capacity.
Experience diagnosing pest, disease, and abiotic plant health issues.
Experience identifying fungal structures using a microscope.
Knowledge of ornamental insect pests and effective management practices.
Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and the ability to develop crop-specific management plans.
Functional experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Ability to work weekends as business needs require.
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills preferred but not required.
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What Success Looks Like:
In this role, you will make a measurable impact on crop health and nursery operations by:
Accurately diagnosing plant diseases, pest infestations, and abiotic disorders through field inspections and laboratory evaluations.
Developing proactive disease prevention and treatment programs that protect crop quality and reduce losses.
Monitoring crop health and identifying issues before they significantly impact production.
Collecting and analyzing plant, soil, and environmental samples to support informed decision-making.
Partnering with growers and production teams to implement effective Integrated Pest Management strategies.
Providing technical expertise and recommendations that improve plant health and production outcomes.
Preparing technical reports, research summaries, and presentations when needed.
Maintaining laboratory equipment and accurate research, diagnostic, and regulatory records.
Collaborating with growers, horticulturists, and agricultural professionals to solve complex plant health challenges.
Staying current on advances in plant pathology, crop protection, and agricultural technology.
Why Join Bell Nursery?
Opportunity to directly influence crop health and quality across a large-scale nursery operation.
Work in a role that combines science, diagnostics, leadership, and hands-on field experience.
Collaborate with experienced growers, horticulturists, and production leaders.
Lead meaningful crop protection initiatives that support company growth and operational success.
Apply your expertise in an environment that values innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
Make a visible impact on the success of one of the industry's leading nursery operations.
If you are passionate about plant health, enjoy solving complex crop challenges, and want to help produce exceptional plants, we encourage you to apply today.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to bend, twist, turn, climb, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the workday.
Continuously (67% < 100% of the time worked)
Frequently (34% < 66% of the time worked)
Occasionally (10% < 33% of the time worked)
Seldom (1 – 10% of the time worked)
Not At All (0% of the time worked)
Activity
Extent*
Activity
Extent*
Sitting
O
Squatting
O
Standing
F
Pushing
F
Walking (Even)
F
Grasping
C
Walking (Rough)
O
Kneeling
O
Lifting
F
Climbing
O
Carrying
F
Reach Overhead
O
Turning
F
Reach Forward
F
Twisting
F
Pulling
F
Bending
F
Environmental Conditions:
Condition
Extent*
Condition
Extent*
Inside
O
Wet
O
Outside
F
Dry
F
Heat
F
Humid
O
Cold
O
Dust
O
Changing Temperature
O
Noise
S
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
