IPM Specialist & Applicator

Verona Collective•Verona, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently see king an IPM Specialist & Applicator to joi n our team at the Oneida Indian Nation's 50,000-square-foot cannabis grow facility in Verona, NY. As the IPM Specialist & Applicator, you'll be r esponsible for developing, executing, and continuously improving the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program within an indoor cultivation facility. This role focuses on prevention, early detection, and effective treatment of pests and pathogens while maintaining plant health, yield, and compliance with all applicable regulations. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in indoor agriculture (e.g., controlled environment agriculture, greenhouse production, vertical farming). Cannabis experience is a plus but not required. Responsibilities include: Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive IPM program tailored to an indoor cultivation environment. Monitor crops routinely for pests, diseases, and environmental stress indicators. Establish pest thresholds and recommend corrective actions based on data and plant conditions. Maintain detailed scouting, treatment, and outcome records. Prepare, mix, and apply approved biological, chemical, and mechanical controls in accordance with label instructions and internal SOPs. Ensure proper calibration, use, and maintenance of application equipment. Apply treatments safely, efficiently, and consistently across grow rooms. Rotate control strategies to prevent resistance. Partner with cultivation and facilities teams to improve sanitation, workflow, and environmental controls that reduce pest pressure. Identify and mitigate entry points or systemic risks contributing to pest outbreaks. Support quarantine and plant movement protocols as needed. Maintain accurate records of scouting, applications, and results. Ensure all IPM activities align with regulatory, safety, and company standards. Support audits, inspections, and internal reviews related to pest management and crop health. Work closely with growers, cultivation leadership, and operations to align IPM practices with production goals. Train cultivation staff on pest identification, early warning signs, and best practices. Stay current on emerging IPM tools, biologicals, and best practices in indoor agriculture. Requirements: 4+ years of hands-on IPM or pest management experience in indoor agriculture, greenhouse, or controlled-environment production. Cannabis cultivation experience required. Strong working knowledge of pest life cycles, beneficial insects, plant pathogens, and preventative IPM strategies. Proven experience safely mixing, applying, and rotating crop protection products. Ability to accurately identify common pests, diseases, and nutrient or environmental stress symptoms. Applicator license required or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe. Experience with biological controls and resistance management preferred. Familiarity with environmental controls, including VPD, airflow, humidity, and sanitation practices, preferred. Experience working in regulated or SOP-driven production environments preferred. Detail-oriented with strong documentation and recordkeeping skills. Comfortable working in grow environments, including standing, bending, lifting, and use of PPE. Methodical, observant, and data-driven with a proactive, prevention-focused mindset. Calm and effective under pressure during pest events. Strong communication and collaboration skills with high standards for cleanliness, safety, and consistency. Located in Upstate New York, Verona Collective offers a diverse range of cannabis products ranging from flower to edibles, all of which are cultivated and produced entirely by the Oneida Indian Nation. Verona Collective is committed to meeting the highest standards for quality and exceptional service that have become hallmarks of the Oneida Indian Nation. Team members of Verona Collective will share the qualities of all of Oneida's nationally acclaimed, award-winning team: stellar work histories and an excellent track record of reliability, productivity, flexibility, and work ethic.

Requirements

4+ years of hands-on IPM or pest management experience in indoor agriculture, greenhouse, or controlled-environment production.
Cannabis cultivation experience required.
Strong working knowledge of pest life cycles, beneficial insects, plant pathogens, and preventative IPM strategies.
Proven experience safely mixing, applying, and rotating crop protection products.
Ability to accurately identify common pests, diseases, and nutrient or environmental stress symptoms.
Applicator license required or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe.
Detail-oriented with strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
Comfortable working in grow environments, including standing, bending, lifting, and use of PPE.
Methodical, observant, and data-driven with a proactive, prevention-focused mindset.
Calm and effective under pressure during pest events.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with high standards for cleanliness, safety, and consistency.

Nice To Haves

Experience with biological controls and resistance management preferred.
Familiarity with environmental controls, including VPD, airflow, humidity, and sanitation practices, preferred.
Experience working in regulated or SOP-driven production environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive IPM program tailored to an indoor cultivation environment.
Monitor crops routinely for pests, diseases, and environmental stress indicators.
Establish pest thresholds and recommend corrective actions based on data and plant conditions.
Maintain detailed scouting, treatment, and outcome records.
Prepare, mix, and apply approved biological, chemical, and mechanical controls in accordance with label instructions and internal SOPs.
Ensure proper calibration, use, and maintenance of application equipment.
Apply treatments safely, efficiently, and consistently across grow rooms.
Rotate control strategies to prevent resistance.
Partner with cultivation and facilities teams to improve sanitation, workflow, and environmental controls that reduce pest pressure.
Identify and mitigate entry points or systemic risks contributing to pest outbreaks.
Support quarantine and plant movement protocols as needed.
Maintain accurate records of scouting, applications, and results.
Ensure all IPM activities align with regulatory, safety, and company standards.
Support audits, inspections, and internal reviews related to pest management and crop health.
Work closely with growers, cultivation leadership, and operations to align IPM practices with production goals.
Train cultivation staff on pest identification, early warning signs, and best practices.
Stay current on emerging IPM tools, biologicals, and best practices in indoor agriculture.