Title
Cultivation Advisor
Location
U.S. Remote with Regular Travel
Department
Commercial Cultivation Advisory
Reports To
Director of Cultivation Science
Job Type
Full-Time | Exempt / Salary
ABOUT HYDROBUILDER HOLDINGS
Hydrobuilder Holdings (HBH) was initially formed through the acquisitions of Hydrobuilder.com, a leading online retailer of hydroponics and horticultural supplies, GreenCoast Hydroponics, the second-largest hydroponics retailer in the United States, and Los Angeles, Calif.-based Elevated Equipment Supply, a full service equipment and supplies provider for the commercial cultivation and specialty agriculture industries. HBH has also acquired Way to Grow, a Colorado-based retailer of aeroponic, hydroponic, and greenhouse products, New England Hydroponics, a hydroponics retailer with locations in Massachusetts and Maine, as well as Home Grown Ventures (HGV) Nutrients, a manufacturer and distributor of a proprietary blend of water soluble nutrients used for commercial agriculture. Together, the six businesses create a leading omnichannel retailer of specialty agriculture and hydroponics equipment and supplies.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
The Cultivation Advisor (CA) is an advanced field-based technical authority responsible for optimizing plant health, yield consistency, operational stability, and cost efficiency within licensed commercial cultivation facilities. Building upon the Systems Technician foundation, the CA is authorized to independently execute all field data collection and documentation responsibilities, interpret collected data, and deliver structured cultivation recommendations within Elevated's AgTech Program framework. The CA functions as an embedded agronomic partner — prioritizing service integrity, data continuity, and repeatable optimization processes over transactional engagement. All recommendations must be grounded in documented data, traceable within reporting systems, and aligned with ongoing optimization cycles.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advanced Facility Diagnostics
Execute all Systems Technician field responsibilities including plant tissue, water, runoff, nutrient, and pathogen sampling; equipment diagnostics and system validation; environmental measurements and data capture; and facility documentation and asset tracking
Conduct structured cultivation assessments that go beyond data collection to evaluate systemic performance and identify drivers of operational inefficiency
Environmental Performance Analysis
Evaluate VPD, temperature, humidity, and airflow distribution across facility zones
Identify microclimate inconsistencies and their impact on crop performance
Assess lighting uniformity, PPFD mapping, and DLI alignment by growth stage
Diagnose environmental drivers contributing to plant stress or yield inconsistency
Water & Fertigation Validation
Assess source water quality across RO, municipal, and well sources
Review nutrient solution chemistry and mixing accuracy against target parameters
Validate fertigation system configuration, programming, and delivery timing
Inspect irrigation distribution, emitter performance, and dosing system calibration
Root Zone & Substrate Analytics
Conduct EC and pH sampling across media types and growth stages
Perform dry-back and hydration pattern analysis to assess irrigation strategy alignment
Identify root-zone stress indicators including salt buildup and oxygen limitation
Diagnose irrigation strategy misalignment by cultivar and developmental phase
Plant Health Diagnostics
Utilize testing data to identify macro and micronutrient deficiencies or toxicities
Detect early indicators of pest or pathogen pressure before escalation
Evaluate crop steering alignment across vegetative and flowering stages
Assess cultivar-specific performance inconsistencies and recommend corrective adjustments
IPM & Pathogen Risk Review
Evaluate sanitation protocols and identify workflow-level contamination risks
Review spray schedules and biological control programs for efficacy and compliance
Identify recurring pest pressure patterns and root causes
Recommend corrective adjustments aligned with approved best practices
Equipment Mapping & Lifecycle Documentation
Document lighting systems, environmental controls, fertigation systems, and facility infrastructure
Record serial numbers, asset identifiers, system modifications, and upgrades
Maintain equipment continuity records for diagnostic reference and lifecycle planning
Data Interpretation & Optimization Strategy Design
Interpret plant tissue, water, runoff, nutrient, and pathogen lab reports
Identify recurring patterns, systemic inefficiencies, and structural versus anomalous issues
Correlate environmental, irrigation, and nutrient data to measurable performance outcomes
Design corrective and preventative cultivation strategies grounded in documented data
Recommend structured testing cadence aligned with facility goals and optimization cycles
Cultivation Health Reporting
Produce a written Cultivation Health Report following each scheduled facility visit
Summarize environmental, irrigation, and plant health findings with documented risks and priority corrective actions
Outline measurable next steps, follow-up timelines, and historical performance trends
Update CRM and internal systems to ensure continuity and data accuracy across all touchpoints
Program Integration & Expansion
Recommend appropriate service tier within the Grow Optimization Program based on facility diagnostics
Convert goodwill assessments into recurring testing or field service plans
Identify trigger-based optimization tracks spanning plant health, irrigation, and IPM
Reinforce structured subscription engagement over ad-hoc advisory interactions
Ensure all operational recommendations align with Elevated standards and supported solutions — the CA does not operate as a product salesperson
Cross-Functional Coordination
Collaborate with Commercial Account Executives, Lab Services teams, AgTech and data teams,
Cultivation Strategists, Service Advisors, and Operations Coordinators
Align field findings with lab interpretation and communicate risks or escalation needs across departments
Support coordinated account strategy and ensure data consistency across all functional touchpoints
Identify performance gaps that justify expanded service engagement
Professional Standards & Documentation Discipline
Maintain strict biosecurity and facility etiquette standards across all client sites
Operate within defined advisory scope; avoid unsupported or undocumented recommendations
Ensure all guidance is documented, traceable, and communicated professionally in regulated environments
Protect customer trust through disciplined, data-driven advisory practice
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)
Cultivation Health Report submission within 48 hours of facility visit: ≥ 95%
Recommendation accuracy and data traceability: 100% of advisory outputs documented in CRM
Reduction in recurring environmental or plant health issues across assigned accounts: measurable improvement within 90-day optimization cycles
Structured testing cadence adoption rate: ≥ 90% of active accounts on recurring program track
Program subscription retention across assigned client base: ≥ 90%
Documentation completeness and accuracy rate: ≥ 98%
Safety incident rate: 0 preventable incidents
KEY CHALLENGES
Translating complex, multi-variable diagnostic data into clear, actionable cultivation strategies while maintaining full documentation discipline and traceability
Balancing independent advisory authority with the requirement that all recommendations remain grounded in documented data and aligned with Elevated's program framework
Managing a geographically distributed client portfolio with consistent visit cadence, reporting quality, and biosecurity compliance across diverse facility types and operational maturity levels
Navigating client relationships in regulated commercial environments where trust, professionalism, and scope discipline are critical to service retention
Distinguishing recurring systemic issues from isolated anomalies when correlating environmental, irrigation, and lab data across multiple concurrent accounts
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated experience in commercial cannabis or controlled environment agriculture required
Advanced knowledge of plant nutrition, irrigation strategy, crop steering, and environmental control systems
Experience interpreting lab data — including tissue, water, runoff, and pathogen reports — and translating findings into structured cultivation strategy
Familiarity with AgTech sensor platforms, fertigation systems, and facility-level diagnostics
Strong written communication skills; ability to produce clear, professional Cultivation Health Reports
Experience with CRM systems and digital reporting platforms
Ability to operate independently and with sound judgment in regulated commercial environments
Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly across assigned service territory
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs; comfortable working in humid, high-light, active production environments
COMPENSATION
Base Salary: Starting at $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Performance-based incentives
Company vehicle provided
Gas reimbursement
Cell phone stipend
BENEFITS
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development and training opportunities
Flexible work schedule and remote work options
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the employee may be asked to perform other duties as assigned by management.
