James J. Borland
Dublin
Summary
Dynamic Water Technician II at Caliva with a strong focus on environmental monitoring and plant inspection. Proven ability to enhance crop health through effective nutrient mixing and irrigation management. Skilled in problem-solving and staff management, ensuring optimal operations and sanitation standards. Passionate about fostering plant growth and maintaining high-quality standards in cultivation.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Water Technician II
Caliva
San Jose
08.2024 - Current
- As Water Technician II, I am in charge of mixing nutrients and replenishing stock tanks with properly mixed water which is then checked to make sure that all parameters have been met.
- I also do very thorough room inspections to make sure that all of the plants are at the correct saturation point in their lifecycle which includes performing dry backs and hand watering, depending on the cultivar.
- A fertigation application is used electronically (Open Sprinkler) to control the duration of water being sent.
- When doing room checks I am also looking for puddles on the floor, leaking tables, making sure that emitters are functioning properly when nutrient water is being sent, and also checking on the humidifiers that are in certain rooms.
- Sanitation is a big factor in my role, especially keeping all irrigation lines free of debris by flushing with a Sanidate 12.0 ratio that is mixed with RO water.
- I also coordinate with the IPM team if there is a pest/mildew issue that needs to be mitigated.
Cultivation Technician I
Caliva
San Jose
04.2024 - 08.2024
- As Cultivation Technician I, I worked on the propagation side of the facility.
- The main focus was on plants that are still in their vegetative state, mother plants, clones, and transplanted clones.
- Daily tasks included: taking care of clone room (burping and watering), cutting and plugging clones, room checks on mother and clone room, hydrating coco (4 inch cubes, 2 gallon coco pots, and 5 gallon coco pots), sorting clones, checking for Pythium and other diseases that may be present, transplanting clones and mothers into the correct size coco cube/pot, watering clones and mothers, and using various chemicals such as Zerotol 2.0, Physan, Sanidate 12.0, and clone rooting jells.
Lodge Lead
Dicks Sporting Goods
Pleasant Hill
08.2020 - 04.2024
- I was brought back as an associate then promoted to Lodge Lead within the store.
- As a lead within the store and my department, I oversee all incoming freight within my department and manage my team.
- I am given daily tasks which include: helping customers, distributing freight to the proper locations, organization of inventory, making sure that all security protocols are being followed, and dealing with customer complaints.
Fishing Associate
Sportsman’s Warehouse
Rohnert Park
10.2018 - 07.2020
- My duties required with this position include: organizing and stocking various fishing lures and baits, giving customers the best customer service, and letting customers know where fish are being caught at and what the fish are being caught on.
Scientific Aid
California Fish and Wildlife
Geyserville
08.2018 - 07.2020
- With this position, I have a numerous number of tasks in order to keep the hatchery running properly.
- My daily tasks include: cleaning the fish enclosures, feeding the fish, removing dead fish and recording the total losses, monitoring fish growth in logs, weed whacking, mowing, painting, cleaning of the facility, cleaning the screens of algae build up, water quality work in the lab, using various wood working tools to cut and shape lumber, operating different types of machinery such as Gators and riding mowers, weight counts of the fish, using the forklift, using the fish pump to transport fish, sorting fish for spawning, and spawning fish that we collect in the trap.
Lodge Associate
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Pleasant Hill
09.2017 - 07.2018
- This position required me to interact and help customers find what items they are looking for.
- Some of the tasks include: using the register, restocking fishing tackle, getting ammunition from the armory or from the locked cabinets, handling firearms/bow and arrows, keeping the lodge area clean and neat.
Research Assistant
Humboldt State Marine Laboratory
Trinidad
01.2017 - 05.2017
- My specific duties consisted of artificial incubation and horomone injection of clownfish and dartfish to induce spawning behavior.
- Basic fish husbandry was also implemented in order to keep the tanks and fish in excellent condition.
- Volunteer Position
Hatchery Technician
Humboldt State Steelhead/Cutthroat Hatchery
Arcata
09.2016 - 11.2016
- My daily tasks that were conducted included weighing feed and feeding fish, backwashing sand filtration system, maintaining the sump, water quality, rearing of juvenile salmonids, and helped with spawning.
Hatchery Volunteer
Humboldt State Steelhead/Cutthroat Hatchery
Arcata
06.2016 - 09.2016
- I received exposure to how a hatchery facility is organized, I was trained in various maintenance and hatchery techniques, which included cleaning of enclosures, cleaning of the facility, and inventory management of feed.
Kitchen Staff
Round Table Pizza
Lafayette
08.2009 - 06.2014
- This position was extremely fast paced where I was put through daily challenges of making pizzas within the desired time limit, running the ovens, restocking of various toppings, and making sure that the inventory within the walk-in fridge was fully stocked.
- I also dealt with customers when help was need at the front desk.
Education
Certificate - Horticulture, Business of Cannabis
Oaksterdam University
Oakland, CABachelors of Science - Freshwater Fisheries Biology
Humboldt State University
Arcata, CASkills
- Staff management
- Environmental monitoring
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Plant inspection
- Instrument Calibration
- Effective communication
- Crop propagation techniques
- Cross-training in operations
- Netafim Netaflex usage
- Irrigation phase execution
- Open Sprinkler operation
- Runoff sample analysis
- Nutrient hand mixing
- pH and EC meter usage
- pH and EC adjustment
- Hazardous waste disposal
- Time management
- Office technology proficiency
- Microsoft Office expertise
Accomplishments
Humboldt State University, College of Natural Resources & Sciences, Dean's List for Fall 2016
Field Research Experience
- 01/01/17, Big Lagoon, CA, Electrofishing at Maple Creek (sampling Salmonids, and conducting measurement surveys)
- 03/01/17, The Springs, CA, Electrofishing and Seining (measurement and fish census)
- 04/01/17, Big Lagoon, CA, Collecting Salmonids (measurement and gut content study)
- 05/01/17, Ferndale, CA, Species Abundance (Seining and setting minnow traps for Pikeminnow and Tidewater Goby, conducted proportional analysis studies)
Scientific Meetings
Cal-Neva Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 51st Annual Meeting, 04/07/17, Technical Aquaculture Sessions
Clubs
- Humboldt State Bass Team, 08/01/14 to 05/01/17
- Archery Club, 08/01/16 to 05/01/17
Certification
Fork Lift Certification, 158J1-08, Expired
Personal Information
Driving License: Class C California Driver’s License
References
- Zach Hill, Sr Cultivation Manager – Caliva, 408-425-6802
- Katy Silva, Compliance Manager, 408-497-2747
- Andy Vaca, Sr Cultivation Manager – Caliva, 323-909-0419
Timeline
Water Technician II
Caliva
08.2024 - Current
Cultivation Technician I
Caliva
04.2024 - 08.2024
Lodge Lead
Dicks Sporting Goods
08.2020 - 04.2024
Fishing Associate
Sportsman’s Warehouse
10.2018 - 07.2020
Scientific Aid
California Fish and Wildlife
08.2018 - 07.2020
Lodge Associate
Dick’s Sporting Goods
09.2017 - 07.2018
Research Assistant
Humboldt State Marine Laboratory
01.2017 - 05.2017
Hatchery Technician
Humboldt State Steelhead/Cutthroat Hatchery
09.2016 - 11.2016
Hatchery Volunteer
Humboldt State Steelhead/Cutthroat Hatchery
06.2016 - 09.2016
Kitchen Staff
Round Table Pizza
08.2009 - 06.2014
Certificate - Horticulture, Business of Cannabis
Oaksterdam University
Bachelors of Science - Freshwater Fisheries Biology
Humboldt State University