| Location | LAFAYETTE, NJ |
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.