Field Technician – True Potato Seed Production

Ohalo•Watsonville, CA

3d•$24 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented Field Technician to support True Potato Seed (TPS) production, with a strong focus on hand-pollination, emasculation, berry development, and seed extraction. Unlike vegetative (tuber) seed potato systems, TPS production relies on controlled sexual crosses between parent clones to produce botanical seed from berries. This role requires precision, patience, and comfort with delicate flower-level work in both field and greenhouse/screenhouse settings.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor degree held with agricultural /plant science / seed production background preferred.
3+ years of experience in agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, seed production, or related fieldwork (internship experience considered)
Strong attention to detail and steady hands for fine, flower-level work (emasculation, hand-pollination)
Ability to follow precise, protocol-driven procedures and maintain accurate identity-preserved records
Comfort working in greenhouse, screenhouse, and/or open field environments
Ability to work flexible hours, as flower receptivity and pollen viability are time-sensitive (often early morning)
Ability to stand, bend, and work at bench or plant height for extended periods
Ability to lift up to 30–50 lbs
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
Ability to travel 25% to different TPS production sites, some time up a week or more at times.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Botany, or related field
Prior experience with potato production, TPS/hybrid seed crossing, or other hand-pollinated crop systems
Familiarity with breeding nursery protocols, cross/pedigree tracking, or germplasm databases
Experience with pollination, seed extraction/fermentation processes and seed cleaning equipment
Experience with greenhouse pest/disease scouting and IPM practices

Responsibilities

Execute seed production planting in appropriate TPS production location across the US planting sites
Collect detailed data and maintain production records fully updated and report information as it happens.
Follow the pollen collection and seed production SOPs to ensure high quality outcomes.
Collect pollen from designated male parent plants at the correct flowering stage, ensuring viability (fresh collection, proper storage/temperature control)
Perform hand-pollination by applying pollen to female flowers according to prescribed crossing designs
Tag and label each pollinated flower/truss immediately with cross ID, parent line, and date to maintain traceability through berry set and harvest
Monitor flowering synchrony between male and female parent plants and flag timing mismatches to breeders/supervisors
Track pollination success rates, fruit (berry) set, and flower drop, recording data in field books or digital data collection tools
Monitor berry development and maturity (color change, softening) to determine correct harvest timing
Hand-harvest mature berries by cross/truss, keeping strict identity preservation and avoiding cross-contamination between crosses
Assist with berry processing: crushing/macerating berries, fermenting pulp, and washing to extract true seed
Dry, clean, and package extracted TPS seed lots according to protocol, ensuring accurate labeling for storage and germination testing
Support seed viability and germination testing procedures as needed
Assist with planting, transplanting, and maintenance of parent clone plots (field, greenhouse, or screenhouse)
Conduct regular field/greenhouse inspections to monitor plant health, flowering stage, and pest/disease pressure
Rogue off-type or diseased plants to protect the genetic integrity of parent lines
Support isolation requirements between crossing blocks to prevent unwanted pollen contamination
Maintain irrigation, staking, and general crop upkeep for parent clone plots
Operate small field/greenhouse equipment as needed (sprayers, irrigation systems, hand tools)
Maintain meticulous, organized records in compliance with company and regulatory traceability standards
Help coordinate seasonal labor during peak flowering, pollination, and berry harvest periods
Follow all safety protocols, including proper PPE use when handling crop protection products, seed processing and field crop tasks.