Automated Crane / Flight Controller Technician

Danville, VA

Full Time

Operations

Mid Level

Automated Crane / Flight Controller Technician

Night Shift (6PM - 6AM) Pay Rate: $20.00

Schedule based on a 2-2-3 pattern, alternating weekends.

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.

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

AeroFarms, the commercial leader in Vertical Farming is building the largest indoor vertical farm in the world in Danville Virginia! (We already have the Guinness world record for this in 2022 – this new farm is 4 times the output of that farm!) This flagship greenfield facility will service our growing customer base in the Mid-Atlantic Region once operational in 2022. This is an opportunity to help with the scaling of one of the most exciting AgTech Companies in the world (We won #1 spot in the Global Food Tech 500 list – 3 years in a row!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPX7ZS0wqWI

As AeroFarms approaches our next phase of explosive growth, we seek out creative, motivated humans who will join us in disrupting industry standards and lead the way in vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and plant biology breakthroughs to solve, and tackle global issues.

If a team of 200+ intellectually curious and caring humans, expansive global operations, and our change-the-world mission resonates with you, apply today:

Job Description:

The Grow Room Control Technician (Flight Controller) be passionate about horticulture science and plants and will share our values around all teams conducting high quality. He/she will be an energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high standards and good judgment. Also, our organization values individuals who can lead by example and keep focus in a team-centered environment. Under the direction of the Horticulture Team Leader (HTL), the Flight Controller will monitor grow room environmental and equipment-functionality variables using both software and visual/physical methods. The FC will be the “eyes in the sky” for the smooth and successful running of the growing operation and all related machinery from seeding to harvest. This includes directly operating and interfacing with equipment and troubleshooting during active production. The successful candidate will have superb attention to detail, must be an excellent communicator, and will be comfortable using computers and collecting organized data.

The Flight Controller (FC) will make sure he/she will always contribute to comply with safety and quality rules on the Company, to finish tasks promptly, to be always on top of communicated priorities, to collaborate to create and keep a positive work environment, and that he/she is effectively scouting, reporting and fixing things on the towers. The Flight Controller (FC) should be able to operate with minimal supervision and always ask questions, tell the truth, and express feelings.

You Will:

Comply with Safety rules. Safety is everyone's responsibility.
Comply with Quality rules.
Collaborate and help to create and keep a positive work environment.
Maintain horticulture equipment.
Record and track EC, pH, temperature, and humidity.
Monitor inventory of horticulture supplies.
Identify and call out issues related to plant growth.
Read and use grow room software as needed to verify plant condition and equipment calibration.
Calibrate sensors.
Call out and correct EC, pH, and irrigation issues when out of range.

You Have (REQUIRED):

Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency required – basic Excel.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Strong communication skills. (Communication skills both verbally and in writing)
Reliable attendance.
Experience with food safety and HACCP protocols desired.
Positive, respectful attitude.
Must be detail-oriented and organized.
Basic math skills.
Proficient in spoken and written English.
Able to operate and calibrate scales, calipers, EC/pH meter, HMI, and tablet (training provided).
Able to stand and walk for long periods.
Able to lift/carry items up to 35 pounds.
Able to drive scissor lift and access plants 35 feet in the air after training.

A high to a very high degree of concentration is required.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize to ensure minimum interruption to the process.

Internal candidates seeking a promotion must have completed a minimum of six months in their current role, have less than 4 attendance points, and have no corrective actions on file before becoming eligible for consideration.

*Please note that AeroFarms does not work with any external staffing/recruitment vendors. Any unsolicited resumes shared with the AeroFarms team will be considered property of AeroFarms and no recruitment fees of any kind will be paid or owed unless an existing recruitment agreement exists alongside with specific engagement for the role in question.

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.

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Our grow room is a stable warm environment to ensure our plants thrive: this means a consistent temperature of 78-80 degrees and pleasantly humid (not hot and not sticky). In the this role this is where you will spend the majority (90%) of your time.

In the packaging and processing areas it is a cold 32-36 degreed f (think a walk in refrigerator), you will spend limited time there as this role is in the grow room.

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