Job DescriptionJob Description
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 partners with cultivators across the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) spectrum — from large commercial facilities to independent and emerging growers. Our mission is to help growers improve yield, reduce operating costs and increase profitability by combining curated products, logistics, advisory expertise and integrated technology into one aligned ecosystem.
Elevated, our commercial division, is a tech-enabled service platform for CEA operations. Through dedicated Account Executives, Cultivation Advisors, proprietary brands and AI-driven crop optimization tools, Elevated supports professional growers from facility build-out through harvest optimization. Hydrobuilder.com, “The Growers Marketplace,” serves smaller and mid-sized growers with a robust digital platform offering curated products, education and an expanding B2B portal experience. At the core of our innovation is our integrated AgTech program, applying AI, sensor data and lab analytics to deliver actionable insights that improve consistency, efficiency and margins across the cultivation lifecycle.
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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 trackingConduct 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 zonesIdentify microclimate inconsistencies and their impact on crop performanceAssess lighting uniformity, PPFD mapping, and DLI alignment by growth stageDiagnose environmental drivers contributing to plant stress or yield inconsistency
Water & Fertigation Validation
Assess source water quality across RO, municipal, and well sourcesReview nutrient solution chemistry and mixing accuracy against target parametersValidate fertigation system configuration, programming, and delivery timingInspect irrigation distribution, emitter performance, and dosing system calibration
Root Zone & Substrate Analytics
Conduct EC and pH sampling across media types and growth stagesPerform dry-back and hydration pattern analysis to assess irrigation strategy alignmentIdentify root-zone stress indicators including salt buildup and oxygen limitationDiagnose irrigation strategy misalignment by cultivar and developmental phase
Plant Health Diagnostics
Utilize testing data to identify macro and micronutrient deficiencies or toxicitiesDetect early indicators of pest or pathogen pressure before escalationEvaluate crop steering alignment across vegetative and flowering stagesAssess cultivar-specific performance inconsistencies and recommend corrective adjustments
IPM & Pathogen Risk Review
Evaluate sanitation protocols and identify workflow-level contamination risksReview spray schedules and biological control programs for efficacy and complianceIdentify recurring pest pressure patterns and root causesRecommend corrective adjustments aligned with approved best practices
Equipment Mapping & Lifecycle Documentation
Document lighting systems, environmental controls, fertigation systems, and facility infrastructureRecord serial numbers, asset identifiers, system modifications, and upgradesMaintain equipment continuity records for diagnostic reference and lifecycle planning
Data Interpretation & Optimization Strategy Design
Interpret plant tissue, water, runoff, nutrient, and pathogen lab reportsIdentify recurring patterns, systemic inefficiencies, and structural versus anomalous issuesCorrelate environmental, irrigation, and nutrient data to measurable performance outcomesDesign corrective and preventative cultivation strategies grounded in documented dataRecommend structured testing cadence aligned with facility goals and optimization cycles
Cultivation Health Reporting
Produce a written Cultivation Health Report following each scheduled facility visitSummarize environmental, irrigation, and plant health findings with documented risks and priority corrective actionsOutline measurable next steps, follow-up timelines, and historical performance trendsUpdate 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 diagnosticsConvert goodwill assessments into recurring testing or field service plansIdentify trigger-based optimization tracks spanning plant health, irrigation, and IPMReinforce structured subscription engagement over ad-hoc advisory interactionsEnsure 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 departmentsSupport coordinated account strategy and ensure data consistency across all functional touchpointsIdentify performance gaps that justify expanded service engagement
Professional Standards & Documentation Discipline
Maintain strict biosecurity and facility etiquette standards across all client sitesOperate within defined advisory scope; avoid unsupported or undocumented recommendationsEnsure all guidance is documented, traceable, and communicated professionally in regulated environmentsProtect customer trust through disciplined, data-driven advisory practiceKEY 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 CRMReduction in recurring environmental or plant health issues across assigned accounts: measurable improvement within 90-day optimization cyclesStructured testing cadence adoption rate: ≥ 90% of active accounts on recurring program trackProgram subscription retention across assigned client base: ≥ 90%Documentation completeness and accuracy rate: ≥ 98%Safety incident rate: 0 preventable incidentsKEY CHALLENGES
Translating complex, multi-variable diagnostic data into clear, actionable cultivation strategies while maintaining full documentation discipline and traceabilityBalancing independent advisory authority with the requirement that all recommendations remain grounded in documented data and aligned with Elevated's program frameworkManaging a geographically distributed client portfolio with consistent visit cadence, reporting quality, and biosecurity compliance across diverse facility types and operational maturity levelsNavigating client relationships in regulated commercial environments where trust, professionalism, and scope discipline are critical to service retentionDistinguishing recurring systemic issues from isolated anomalies when correlating environmental, irrigation, and lab data across multiple concurrent accountsJOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated experience in commercial cannabis or controlled environment agriculture requiredAdvanced knowledge of plant nutrition, irrigation strategy, crop steering, and environmental control systemsExperience interpreting lab data — including tissue, water, runoff, and pathogen reports — and translating findings into structured cultivation strategyFamiliarity with AgTech sensor platforms, fertigation systems, and facility-level diagnosticsStrong written communication skills; ability to produce clear, professional Cultivation Health ReportsExperience with CRM systems and digital reporting platformsAbility to operate independently and with sound judgment in regulated commercial environmentsValid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly across assigned service territoryAbility to lift up to 50 lbs; comfortable working in humid, high-light, active production environmentsCOMPENSATION
Base Salary: Starting at $75,000 annually, commensurate with experiencePerformance-based incentivesCompany vehicle providedGas reimbursementCell phone stipendBENEFITS
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance401(k) plan with company matchPaid time off and holidaysProfessional development and training opportunitiesFlexible 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.
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