Agricultural Technician

Job Specific Details

PRODUCT(S): Sweet Pepper

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for assisting the SAI Sweet Pepper program in diverse tasks such as sowing, transplanting, harvesting, and seed extraction for both SMX and SAI segments under the direction of the Assistant Plant Breeder. Will also be responsible for ensuring greenhouse tasks are performed within a reasonable time. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of pepper plant management and will be able to forecast greenhouse needs including, but not limited to, making strings, tying plants, weed management, filling grow pots, filling sow trays, and being sure that items are ready when they are needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Coordinates pollination and seed extraction crew for both SAI and SMX tomato breeding programs in two crossing greenhouses. This includes training new workers in emasculation and pollination, being sure that the correct pollen is being used on the correct seed parents, and keeping the pollination cycle running smoothly.
• Communicates any problems in greenhouses to the manager. Such problems may include irrigation malfunctions, identifying infected plants, or forecasting plant needs.
• Ensures that equipment is cleaned and ready to use when the need arises. This may include harvest crates, sow trays, tomato clips, seed bags, harvest bags, and seed processing equipment.
• Coordinates the harvest of greenhouse fruit; assists in field harvest. Communicates with managers about any problems that are found during both harvest and seed extraction which may include low seed production, potential fruit or seed contamination, or germinating seed.
• Executes tomato seed extraction processes. This includes training new personnel, following seed extraction protocols, maintaining a clean work environment, informing managers when chemical stocks run low, and effectively extracting tomato seeds for use in the breeding program.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to do accurate, detailed work under environmental stresses and in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate well in Spanish; ability to communicate in spoken English.
• Must be able to work extra hours as assigned.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
  
  

Experience And Background

• High School Diploma
• Minimum 5 years seed, agriculture experience and/or crop experience required
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Farm background desirable
  
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must have valid driver’s license.
  
  

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Must have ability to perform work in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to travel as necessary.
• Must have ability to lift over 50 pounds on a seasonal basis.
• Must be able to work with chemicals and other irritating substances.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear when required.
• Must be able to work in dusty, windy and wet conditions.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
• Occasional need for working after normal hours and/or weekends and holidays
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $21-$24 per hour
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month thereafter.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps