Position: Insectary Technician – Encarsia formosa ProductionLocation: Leamington, OntarioEmployment: Full time | 32-44 Hours/Week
GrowLiv Biologicals is expanding its commercial biological-control production and is looking for a motivated Insectary Technician to join our team in Leamington.
The successful candidate will work in our insectary and greenhouse production facility, specializing in the commercial rearing of the whitefly parasitoid Encarsia formosa.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain host plants for whitefly production
- Rear and maintain greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) colonies
- Introduce and rear Encarsia formosa on suitable whitefly stages
- Monitor whitefly development, parasitism and parasitoid emergence
- Harvest parasitized whitefly scales and assist with production of Encarsia release cards
- Conduct routine quality-control checks using microscopes
- Maintain accurate daily production and batch records
- Monitor temperature, humidity and other production conditions
- Follow strict sanitation and insectary biosecurity procedures
- Identify and report contamination, colony decline or production abnormalities
- Work toward weekly production and quality targets
Who We Are Looking For Candidates with education or experience in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply:
Entomology Biological Sciences Agriculture Horticulture Greenhouse Production Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Insect Rearing Laboratory Production
Previous insect-rearing experience (Rearing Encarsia formosa) is an asset. Necessary training in GrowLiv’s commercial insect rearing system will be provided.
Ideal Candidate
You should be
- Detail-oriented and comfortable working with very small insects
- Able to use, or willing to learn to use, a stereomicroscope
- Comfortable working with plants and insects in greenhouse/insectary conditions
- Able to follow biological production schedules and SOPs accurately
- Reliable with record keeping and production data
- Able to recognize problems and communicate them quickly
- Interested in biological control, beneficial insects and sustainable agriculture
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a production team
Why Join GrowLiv Biologicals? GrowLiv Biologicals develops and produces beneficial insects and mites for modern Integrated Pest Management programs.
This position provides hands-on experience in commercial insect production, parasitoid rearing, greenhouse entomology and biological pest control, with opportunities to develop into senior insectary production and quality-control roles as our production operations expand.
Apply Now
Please submit your resume and a short introduction describing your education and/or experience with insects, biological control, greenhouse crops, laboratory work or agriculture.
GrowLiv Biologicals
Leamington, Ontario
Biological Solutions for Sustainable Crop Protection
Pay: $19.00-$21.00 per hour
Expected hours: 32.0 – 44.0 per week
Benefits
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Leamington, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Insect Rearing (Encarsia): 1 year (preferred)