JOB SUMMARY: This position provides routine support for all activities within the Vigor and Usable Plug Testing department. Primary responsibility is the routine planting, growing, and counting of flower and vegetable tests and computer-related tasks such as printing tray labels and entering results. Care of plants will include some weekends and holidays. Aids the Growout Department for sowing, transplanting, and data collection, as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:
- This is a support-level position, the individual will assist in all routine activities. These activities may include but are not limited to, sowing, evaluation, filling/moving trays, watering, transplanting, and data entry for vigor & plug testing, and growout testing.
- Maintains greenhouse plants for the Vigor and Usable Plug program with good control of greenhouse growing conditions throughout the life of the tests.
- Assists Vigor Testing Manager and Growout Manager with data collection and management for routine tests and special projects, as assigned.
- Assist in the development of new tests and maintain documentation of protocols.
- The individual will work primarily in a greenhouse, field, or laboratory environment.
- Enter submitted seed samples into the LIMS database and assist with scheduling.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Greenhouse growing and laboratory experience is highly desired.
- Ability to perform job activities accurately and efficiently.
- Comfortable working in an agricultural environment, i.e. with agricultural chemicals and in environments where temperatures may be hot or cold.
- Good oral and written communication skills and good organizational skills.
- Able and willing to work alone and as part of a team and interact cooperatively with supervisors and other department staff.
- Self-motivated and work with minimum supervision.
- Willing to learn appropriate technical and semi-technical skills.
- Receptive to changing work demands, techniques, or approaches and must have the ability to adapt quickly to such circumstances.
- Ability to do repetitious work in a greenhouse, field, or laboratory for several hours without interruption.
- Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
- Competency in data management and use of computer applications.
- Willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks and duties.
- Ability to work under strict time constraints and requirements.
- Ability to work some weekends and holidays to maintain plant growth in greenhouses.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate degree in plant science, horticulture, or related field. Educational requirements may be substituted in part by related work experience. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND:
- One year experience in the seed industry or closely related field is preferred
Computer literacy required
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Must be able to work in a greenhouse environment, under hot and cold temperatures.
- Must be willing to work overtime hours, including some weekends and holidays, as requested. Participates in the on-station weekend watering rotation.
- Must be willing to work with chemicals and pesticides, and other potentially irritating substances, such as fertilizers and plant growth regulators, including the use of personal protective equipment when necessary and/or required to apply pesticides
- Must be able to work in dusty conditions and willing to work alone and without direct supervision for extended periods.
- Must be able to do some lifting of lightweight (< 50 lbs.) items
- Must be able to stand for long periods
COMPENSATION & BENIFITS:
- Salary: $50,000 - $53,000 a year
- 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 the first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
- 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 subsidies for health/fitness clubs & apps
*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
