Job Profile: Cultivation Technician II - Post Harvest

Job Overview

The Cultivation Technician II - Post Harvest serves as the critical custodian of product value at the most pivotal stage of the cannabis production cycle. This role executes the precise, methodical processes required to transform harvested cannabis plants into a stable, high-quality, and marketable product. Operating within the Growing Methodologies & Science sector, this technician is responsible for the meticulous handling, drying, curing, and initial processing of all harvested plant material. The position demands an exceptional level of organization to manage multiple harvest batches simultaneously, ensuring each is tracked with absolute accuracy within state-mandated seed-to-sale compliance systems. Through disciplined teamwork and a focus on process efficiency, the Post-Harvest Technician directly prevents the degradation of valuable cannabinoids and terpenes, preserving the chemical profile that determines the final product's grade, market price, and consumer appeal. This function is fundamental to converting agricultural effort into tangible revenue and maintaining the integrity of the company's brand promise.

A Day in the Life

The day's operations begin with a coordinated handoff from the cultivation team. A fresh batch of harvested plants, representing months of meticulous care, arrives in the post-harvest intake area. The technician's first task is a critical compliance checkpoint. Working in collaboration with a teammate, they weigh the entire batch to establish the initial wet weight. This figure, along with the unique plant tag identifiers, is immediately entered into the state's seed-to-sale tracking software, such as Metrc or BioTrack. This creates an auditable record that is the foundation of regulatory compliance. Every gram of material is accounted for from this moment forward.

Next, the focus shifts to the physical processing of the plants. The team begins the 'bucking' process, which involves carefully separating the valuable flowers and sugar leaves from the main stalks and stems. This task requires both speed and gentle handling to minimize the physical agitation that can dislodge valuable trichomes. Technicians work with an organized system, sorting bucked flower into designated, labeled bins for the next stage while segregating waste material for compliant disposal. Efficiency and teamwork are paramount, as large harvest volumes must be processed quickly to move the material into a controlled environment.

Midday is dedicated to managing the drying and curing environments. The technician transports the freshly bucked flower to specially designed drying rooms. Here, the material is carefully laid out on screened racks or hung from wires, following strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for spacing to ensure optimal airflow. The technician then verifies the environmental settings, checking digital sensors and control systems (like TrolMaster or Argus) to confirm temperature and humidity levels are within the precise range required to prevent mold growth and begin the slow curing process. This involves documenting readings and making micro-adjustments in collaboration with the Post-Harvest Manager.

The afternoon involves ongoing quality control and preparation for the next stage. The technician inspects batches that are further along in the drying process, gently testing branches for the characteristic 'snap' that indicates readiness for trimming. They may also participate in the trimming process, either through meticulous hand-trimming of premium flower or by operating and maintaining automated trimming machines. This requires a high degree of focus to produce a visually appealing product without damaging the flower's structure. The day concludes with a rigorous sanitation protocol. All tools, surfaces, bins, and machines are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to prevent any cross-contamination between different genetic strains or harvest batches, upholding the principles of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Core Responsibilities & Operational Impact

The Cultivation Technician II - Post Harvest is accountable for three primary operational domains that directly influence product quality and financial outcomes:

1. Asset Handling & Initial Processing

• Harvest Intake & Weighing: Accurately weighing and documenting all incoming plant material to establish a compliant baseline for inventory tracking, directly impacting regulatory reporting and financial accounting.
• De-leafing and Bucking: Efficiently separating flowers from stalks and fan leaves with minimal damage to trichomes. This process directly affects the yield of high-quality material destined for trimming versus lower-grade material for extraction.
• Trimming Execution: Performing manual or machine-assisted trimming of dried cannabis flower to meet specific quality and aesthetic standards for different product SKUs, a key factor in determining the final wholesale price.

2. Environmental Management & Quality Control

• Drying & Curing Oversight: Loading, monitoring, and maintaining the precise temperature and humidity levels within controlled environments to ensure a slow, even cure. This scientific process is critical for developing the desired aroma, flavor, and smokeability of the final product.
• Contamination Prevention: Conducting daily inspections of drying material for any signs of mold, mildew, or pests. Early detection and removal prevent the loss of entire batches, safeguarding significant revenue.
• Sanitation & GMP Adherence: Executing rigorous cleaning protocols for all equipment, tools, and work surfaces in alignment with GMP principles to prevent cross-contamination and ensure product safety.

3. Data Management & Process Optimization

• Seed-to-Sale Data Entry: Performing timely and accurate data entry into the company’s tracking system, updating batch status from 'harvested' to 'drying' to 'cured,' maintaining a perfect chain of custody.
• Waste Management Documentation: Weighing and logging all plant waste according to state regulations, ensuring every gram of the initial wet weight is accounted for as either usable product or properly documented waste.
• Efficiency Tracking: Recording key performance indicators such as pounds processed per hour or trimming rates, providing data that management uses to refine workflows, schedule labor, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Strategic Impact Analysis

The Cultivation Technician II - Post Harvest directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:

Chain of Command & Key Stakeholders

Reports To: This position typically reports to the Post-Harvest Manager or the Director of Cultivation.

Similar Roles: Professionals in roles from other industries such as Food Production Technician, Cellar Hand (in winemaking), or Agricultural Produce Packer possess highly transferable skills. These positions require meticulous handling of perishable goods, adherence to strict sanitation protocols, and process-driven efficiency. Within the broader manufacturing sector, titles like Assembly Line Technician or Quality Control Inspector reflect the need for attention to detail, repetitive task mastery, and a commitment to quality standards that are directly applicable to the post-harvest environment.

Works Closely With: This role requires constant collaboration with the Harvest Crew for smooth intake, the Quality Assurance Team for batch sampling, and the Packaging Department to ensure a steady flow of finished product ready for market.

Technology, Tools & Systems

Success in this role requires proficiency with specific industry technologies and equipment:

• Seed-to-Sale (S2S) Software: Daily, intensive use of compliance platforms such as Metrc, BioTrack, or LeafLogix for data entry using barcode scanners, tablets, and desktop computers.
• Environmental Control Systems: Monitoring and interacting with platforms like Argus or TrolMaster to maintain precise temperature and humidity setpoints in drying and curing rooms.
• Post-Harvest Machinery: Operation, cleaning, and basic maintenance of automated equipment including bucking machines and trimming machines (e.g., Twister T4, CenturionPro).
• Calibrated Instruments: Regular use of certified scales for accurate weight measurement and hygrometers to validate moisture content in the curing product.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Transferable Skills

Success in this role is built on experience from process-oriented industries:

• Food & Beverage Processing: Experience with sanitation protocols (HACCP), batch record-keeping, and handling delicate, high-value agricultural products like wine grapes, hops, or specialty produce.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Background in GMP environments, following detailed SOPs, and meticulous documentation practices for batch production records.
• High-Volume Assembly/Manufacturing: Expertise in maintaining pace and quality in a production line setting, focusing on efficiency, ergonomics, and hitting performance targets.
• Warehouse & Logistics: Strong skills in inventory management, use of scanning technology for tracking, and maintaining an organized flow of materials in a fast-paced environment.

Critical Competencies

The role demands specific professional attributes:

• Process Discipline: The ability to flawlessly execute multi-step SOPs for hundreds of consecutive batches without deviation, ensuring product consistency and safety.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: The visual acuity to spot the earliest signs of contamination and the organizational rigor to ensure every label is correct and every number is entered accurately.
• Collaborative Mindset: The capacity to function as an integral part of a team, communicating clearly about workflow, sharing tasks, and maintaining a positive, production-focused attitude.

Top 3 Influential Entities for the Role

These organizations and frameworks establish the operational rules and quality benchmarks that govern this role:

• State Cannabis Regulatory Agency: This is the primary governing body (e.g., California's Department of Cannabis Control, Florida's Office of Medical Marijuana Use). Their regulations dictate every aspect of tracking, labeling, testing, and waste disposal that the post-harvest technician must follow without exception.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): A system of quality control principles originating in the pharmaceutical industry. Leading cannabis operators are adopting GMP standards for sanitation, documentation, and process control to ensure product safety and consistency, directly shaping the daily SOPs for this role.
• ASTM International Committee D37 on Cannabis: This voluntary standards body develops consensus-based best practices for the industry. Their standards for post-harvest handling, curing, and contamination control provide the scientific foundation for the quality-focused procedures executed by technicians.

Acronyms & Terminology