Agronomist

Who We Are: John I. Haas, Inc. is an innovative, passionate, team oriented, and customer driven company. We succeed due to the integrity of our employees and take adding to our “family” seriously! We are an equal opportunity employer, believe in educational opportunities, and offer excellent health benefits to our employees and their families. John I. Haas is one of the world’s largest suppliers of hops, hop products, and solutions. We are a proud member of the BarthHaas Group with branches in Germany, the USA, the UK, Australia and China. The BarthHaas Group conducts business on every continent and is a world leader in breeding, growing, processing, and marketing hops and hops products.

Position Summary: The Agronomist is responsible for agronomy-focused research projects, conducting trials and studies focused on Haas farm production and developing and implementing fertilizer and pesticide programs on Haas farms with a focus on sustainable farming practices. This position monitors agronomic performance (soil management and crop production) and field scouting of Haas farms for contract grower production on an as-needed basis. The Agronomist assists in developing more effective and efficient farming practices, in solving complex agricultural problems and assists in maintaining and implementing our food safety program and Global Gap certification as it pertains to agronomy.

Primary Responsibilities: (Must consider: 1) knowledge required; 2) problem solving; and 3) accountability.)

50% - Agronomy Management:

• Develop and implement fertilizer and pesticide plan/program and maintain records on Haas farms.
• Propose, design, and conduct agronomic and harvesting experiments with hops, primarily on Haas farm but also with contract growers as needed. Interact with growers and customers on result of the experiments.
• Participate in quality and yield improvement efforts on Haas farms including identification of agronomic issues and development of solutions for such. Effectively transfer agronomic knowledge and research to Haas farms.
• Lead Haas farms and growers in researching and developing sustainable farming practices for hops and achieving sustainability status per internal or external sustainability programs and requirements.
• Assist Purchasing with conducting quality audits with growers as required.

25% - Industry Collaboration and Education:

• Participate in industry research organizations and committees.
• Perform commercial field surveys as needed.
• Participate in hop sensory panels and hop quality evaluations as needed.
• Membership on Agronomic Advisory Committee for the Hop Breeding Company.
• Collaborate with Haas Purchasing and Sensory departments to assist with projects connecting hop sensory to farm/soil conditions and agronomic practices.

10% - Proprietary Varieties:

• Monitor proprietary varieties for varietal purity, good agricultural practices, and good harvest quality including development of agronomy grower guide for commercial proprietary varieties.
• Monitor Haas Farm fields and contract growers on as-needed basis for virus infection and general decline of plant performance. Provide recommendations as to when fields should be replaced with new rootstock.
• Direct and monitor propagation and planting process for (commercial) proprietary varieties on Haas Farm.

10% - Regulatory Management:

• Update and manage farm pesticide/fertilizer records and assist in development of annual pesticide guidelines/restrictions to contract growers.
• Maintain knowledge of current US and export pesticide MRL’s and attend USHIPPC meetings as Haas representative. Receive guidance from managers when applicable/relevant.

5% - Other duties as assigned

Conditions of Employment:

• Work a 40-hour work week but must be flexible and able to work additional hours and weekends during peak times such as pre-harvest and harvest periods and/or when business needs demand.
• Must be physically mobile and able to lift 50 pounds (with assistance and have good visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses).
• Must comply with all John I. Haas, Inc. policies and procedures, including successful passing of a pre-employment background check and drug test.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally on company’s behalf.
• Must obtain a pesticide consultant license and CPR/First Aid certification within first 6 months of employment.
• Must comply with our Integrated Management System (IMS) and be trained on procedures applicable to the requirements of the position, including managing significant quality, environmental, and food safety aspects.

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills required of the Position)

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field and relevant working experience
• Current/active pesticide applicators license
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills, including experience presenting to those outside your area/level of expertise in a way easily understood.
• Ability and desire to keep current on technical advancements in agronomy pertaining to hops.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and computer skills including ability to effectively use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred:

• Master of Arts/Science in Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field.
• Experience managing/supervising and motivating employees to ensure quality work.
• Experience designing, conducting, analyzing, writing-up, and presenting research projects.
• Current/Active Pesticide Applicator’s or Consultant License
• Current/Active CPR/First Aid Certification

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Life, long-term care, long-term disability insurance
• Holiday, vacation, and sick leave/time off

This form indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees with this job title. It is not designed to contain nor should it be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of all employees with this job title.