Cultivation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Cultivation Specialist 2
Schedule: Open Availability requested - includes nights and weekends
Pay Rate: $18.00/hr

Company Summary

Illicit Gardens is one of New Jersey’s leading cannabis brands, recognized for producing high-quality products and maintaining a bold, authentic approach to the industry. Our team is committed to excellence in cultivation, manufacturing, and production while continuously supporting innovation and operational growth across our facilities. Illicit Gardens is also proud to be a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This means our employees are not just team members, they are owners of the company. We believe that when employees have a stake in the company, they take greater pride in the work they do, creating a stronger team and better results for everyone.

Position Summary

The Cultivation Specialist 2 is a mid-level cultivation role responsible for supporting plant health and production throughout multiple stages of the cannabis cultivation lifecycle. This position requires additional technical skills beyond entry-level cultivation tasks and involves active participation in plant propagation, vegetative growth management, integrated pest management (IPM), and post-harvest curing processes.

The Cultivation Specialist 2 works closely with cultivation leadership to ensure plants are maintained in optimal health while following all company SOPs and regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform plant cloning procedures, including cutting preparation, cloning techniques, and proper placement in propagation systems

• Maintain cloning environments to ensure proper humidity, lighting, and rooting conditions

• Monitor clone development and report any issues affecting plant health

• Assist in managing plants during the vegetative (veg) stage, ensuring proper plant structure and development

• Perform plant maintenance tasks including defoliation, training, and plant movement between cultivation rooms

• Monitor plant growth and communicate any irregularities or concerns to cultivation leadership

• Perform plant feeding (watering) using the facility’s established nutrient delivery process

• Measure and apply water and nutrient solutions according to cultivation schedules and SOPs

• Monitor plants during feeding cycles to ensure proper hydration and nutrient uptake

• Support the facility’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program

• Assist with preventative pest control treatments and monitoring procedures

• Identify potential pest or plant health concerns and report findings to cultivation leadership

• Support harvesting and plant takedown procedures

• Assist with curing processes, including monitoring drying environments and preparing product for processing

• Ensure harvested product is handled and stored according to company quality standards

• Perform additional duties as assigned

Compliance & SOP Adherence

• Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and state regulatory requirements related to cannabis cultivation

• Assist with proper tracking and documentation of plants and product in accordance with regulatory requirements

• Maintain a clean, compliant, and organized cultivation environment

Required Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older

• Ability to obtain and maintain any required state cannabis agent registration

• Previous cultivation experience or equivalent agricultural experience preferred

• Understanding of plant care, growth cycles, and cultivation best practices

• Ability to follow detailed procedures and work in a regulated environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, and reach for extended periods of time

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds

• Ability to work in humid, warm, and plant-filled environments typical of indoor cultivation facilities

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and employee discounts on products

• Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

• 100% Employee Owned (ESOP)

Work Environment

This position operates within a controlled indoor cultivation environment. Employees may be exposed to plant material, humidity, strong aromas, and varying temperatures typical of cannabis cultivation operations.