Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hydroponics Farmer

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about the intersection of technology, sustainability, and agriculture? This role requires a dedicated and meticulous Hydroponics Farmer to join our pioneering team in the world of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). As a Hydroponics Farmer, you will be the hands-on expert responsible for the entire lifecycle of our crops, from seed to harvest. You will operate and maintain our state-of-the-art vertical farming systems, ensuring our plants receive the perfect balance of nutrients, light, and water. This role is crucial for guaranteeing the consistent production of high-quality, fresh, and locally-grown produce year-round. If you have a green thumb, a technical mind, and a drive to revolutionize modern food systems, this is the opportunity for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Agricultural Technician or Farm Hand
Recent Graduate (Horticulture, Plant Science, Biology)
Passionate Home Grower or Advanced Hobbyist

Advancement To:

Head Grower / Lead Grower
Farm Operations Manager
Research & Development (R&D) Specialist in CEA

Lateral Moves:

Aquaponics System Manager
Quality Assurance / Food Safety Specialist
Agricultural Technology Sales or Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute daily crop production tasks, including precision seeding, transplanting seedlings, and performing timely harvests to meet stringent quality standards and production schedules.
Continuously monitor plant health and developmental stages, proactively identifying and diagnosing issues related to nutritional deficiencies, environmental stress, pests, or diseases.
Prepare, manage, and meticulously monitor hydroponic nutrient solutions, regularly testing and adjusting pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and individual nutrient levels for optimal plant uptake.
Operate and maintain advanced controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems, including LED lighting, HVAC, irrigation pumps, and automated fertigation units, ensuring they function at peak efficiency.
Implement and document comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, utilizing beneficial insects, biological controls, and organic-approved treatments to prevent and manage pests.
Diligently collect, record, and analyze critical environmental and crop data, such as temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and growth rates, using both manual logs and digital farm management software.
Maintain the highest level of cleanliness and sanitation throughout the growing facility, including the sterilization of grow systems, trays, tools, and reservoirs to prevent pathogen outbreaks.
Oversee all post-harvest activities, including weighing, sorting, grading, and packaging produce according to strict quality specifications and food safety standards for immediate distribution.
Strictly adhere to all food safety protocols, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure product integrity and regulatory compliance.
Conduct systematic daily scouting of all grow zones to detect the earliest signs of pest pressure or plant diseases, logging all findings to inform the IPM program.
Routinely calibrate and maintain environmental sensors and monitoring equipment, including pH, EC, temperature, and CO2 meters, to ensure accurate data collection and precise environmental control.
Manage the farm's water treatment and irrigation systems, including reverse osmosis (RO) filtration and water recycling programs, to ensure high-quality water and promote resource sustainability.
Actively manage the facility's climate control systems, making precise adjustments to temperature, humidity, and airflow to create and maintain the ideal microclimate for specific crop varieties.
Assist the Head Grower in developing and executing detailed crop schedules and production plans to ensure a consistent and predictable supply of fresh produce year-round.

Secondary Functions

Participate in research and development (R&D) trials for new crop varieties, growing techniques, nutrient recipes, or equipment, carefully documenting all observations and results.
Assist in managing the inventory of all growing supplies, including seeds, nutrients, substrates, and packaging materials, and communicate ordering needs to prevent production delays.
Support the training and onboarding of new farm technicians and apprentices on standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and best practices in hydroponic cultivation.
Perform routine preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical issues with farm systems and equipment to minimize downtime.
Prepare and present regular reports on crop yields, production metrics, resource consumption, and environmental conditions to the Head Grower or Farm Manager.
Implement and oversee waste management procedures, including the composting of green waste and recycling of materials, to support the farm's broader sustainability goals.
Safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment for moving supplies, harvesting bins, and finished products within the facility as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of hydroponic and vertical farming systems (e.g., NFT, DWC, Ebb & Flow, Aeroponics).
Strong understanding of plant physiology, plant nutrition, and nutrient solution management.
Proven experience with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practical application.
Proficiency with environmental control software and hardware (e.g., Priva, Argus, Autogrow).
Competence in data collection, logging, and basic analysis using tools like Excel or farm management software.
Mechanical and electrical aptitude for basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
Knowledge of food safety standards (GAP, HACCP) and sanitation protocols.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and observational skills for spotting subtle changes in plant health.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to diagnose and resolve cultivation issues.
Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and crop cycles simultaneously.
Ability to work effectively both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively within a team.
Clear and concise communication skills, both written and verbal.
Physical stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks, lift up to 50 lbs, and work on your feet for extended periods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horticulture
Plant Science
Agriculture / Agronomy
Biology
Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3+ years of hands-on experience in a commercial greenhouse, hydroponic farm, or controlled environment agriculture facility.

Preferred:

Experience with large-scale leafy green or vine crop production in a hydroponic system.
Direct experience with automated climate control and fertigation systems.
A proven track record of meeting production targets and quality standards.