Job Description

Job Position:  Irrigation Manager  

Reports To:  Director of Cultivation

Job Type: Full-time   

Position : Irrigation Manager  

Daily Operations  

• Monitor and  optimize Priva system performance across all cultivation bays, including EC, pH, substrate moisture levels, and drain percentages  

• Review and adjust irrigation recipes based on crop stage, environmental conditions, and substrate feedback  

• Conduct daily physical inspections of irrigation infrastructure (emitters, mainlines, laterals, valves, filtration systems) 

• Troubleshoot and resolve irrigation system malfunctions to minimize crop stress and downtime  

• Maintain  optimal fertigation schedules and nutrient concentrations for different cultivation zones and crop stages  

• Monitor and respond to Priva system alarms and alerts in real-time  

System Maintenance & Reliability  

• Develop and execute preventive maintenance schedules for all irrigation equipment (pumps, injectors, filters, UV/ozone systems, valves) 

• Manage inventory of critical spare parts (emitters, tubing, fittings, sensors, injection pumps) 

• Coordinate with vendors for equipment servicing, calibration, and warranty issues  

• Maintain detailed maintenance logs and equipment performance records  

• Ensure backup systems and redundancies are functional and tested regularly  

Water Treatment & Quality Control  

• Monitor source water quality and manage treatment systems (RO, filtration, UV sterilization) 

• Conduct regular water quality testing (EC, pH, alkalinity, hardness, pathogens) and  maintain documentation  

• Manage chemical dosing for algae prevention and biofilm control in irrigation lines  

• Develop and implement water sanitation protocols to prevent disease transmission  

• Monitor and  optimize drain-to-waste ratios or implement recirculating strategies if applicable  

Fertigation Management  

• Formulate and adjust nutrient recipes based on crop needs, growth stages, and tissue analysis results  

• Manage nutrient concentrate tanks, stock solutions, and chemical inventory  

• Calibrate and  maintain fertilizer injection systems ( Dosatron units, injection pumps) 

• Troubleshoot EC/pH discrepancies between Priva readings and manual measurements  

• Work with cultivation team to correlate irrigation/nutrition strategies with plant health and yield outcomes  

Supervision & Training  

• Supervise, schedule, and manage Irrigation Technicians across multiple shifts  

• Train team members on Priva system operation, troubleshooting procedures, and safety protocols  

• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all irrigation-related tasks  

• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development  

• Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement  

Workforce Management  

• Create and manage work schedules ensuring adequate coverage for all cultivation areas  

• Assign tasks based on technician skill levels and prioritize critical maintenance activities  

• Coordinate with other departments (Facilities, IPM, Cultivation) for cross-functional projects  

• Manage time-off requests and ensure proper handoffs during absences  

Analytics & Reporting  

• Analyze Priva historical data to  identify trends, inefficiencies, and optimization opportunities  

• Generate reports on water usage, nutrient consumption, system performance, and crop response  

• Track key performance indicators: gallons per pound produced, EC runoff accuracy, equipment uptime  

• Document all recipe changes, system modifications, and their impacts on crop performance  

• Maintain comprehensive records for compliance and operational review  

Continuous Improvement  

• Implement Lean Six Sigma principles to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance reliability  

• Conduct root cause analysis on irrigation-related crop issues or system failures  

• Test and  validate new irrigation strategies, equipment, or technologies  

• Collaborate with cultivation management to  optimize irrigation timing, duration, and frequency for maximum yield  

Safety & Environmental Stewardship  

• Enforce safety protocols for chemical handling, confined space entry, and electrical/mechanical systems  

• Ensure proper PPE usage and  maintain OSHA-compliant workplace practices  

• Manage hazardous waste disposal (spent filters, nutrient concentrates, contaminated water) 

• Implement water conservation initiatives and  monitor for leaks or waste  

Financial Management  

• Develop and manage annual irrigation department budget (labor, equipment, chemicals, supplies) 

• Justify capital expenditure requests for system upgrades or expansions  

• Track and  optimize operational costs (water, nutrients, electricity for pumps/RO systems) 

• Evaluate ROI on  new technologies or process improvements  

Scalability & Growth  

• Assist in planning irrigation infrastructure for facility expansions or new cultivation areas  

• Specify equipment requirements for new installations and coordinate with contractors  

• Develop scalable processes that can accommodate increased production targets  

• Stay current on industry innovations and best practices for large-scale cannabis irrigation  

Cross-Departmental Collaboration  

• Work closely with Cultivation Manager to align irrigation strategies with crop schedules and targets  

• Coordinate with Facilities team on HVAC/climate interactions affecting irrigation demand  

• Support IPM programs by managing irrigation timing to reduce disease pressure  

• Partner with IT/systems team on Priva software updates, network connectivity, and data integration  

• Communicate proactively with Operations Manager on performance metrics, challenges, and resource needs  

Emergency Response  

• Develop and  maintain emergency response plans for irrigation system failures  

• Be available for after-hours emergencies affecting crop health or facility operations  

• Coordinate rapid response to system failures, water contamination events, or equipment breakdowns  

• Maintain relationships with emergency service providers and equipment vendors  

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