Seed & Nursery Technician

Sensient•Livingston, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

This position assists with and performs a variety of tasks in the Research and Seed Departments. Primary jobs include planting & harvesting of research field trials, spraying chemical treatments in the local Nursery, maintenance of research field equipment, and assisting in Seed Production operations. Overnight travel (10-15%) is required to remote sites for planting and harvest operations.

Requirements

Carry out new research projects as assigned.
Assist in onion seed production including: Planting & harvesting of seed fields, Seed milling & blending, Correctly determine number of seeds/pound for seed lots, Assist in maintenance of accurate seed inventory, Assist in other basic laboratory, greenhouse, and tissue culture projects.
Ability to routinely lift up to 50 pounds
Accurate math skills
Valid California driver’s license
Work well with others
Understand material safety and when to use PPE’s
Attentive to details
Able to travel to remote sites for planting & harvest operations
Supervise other hourly and temporary employees as assigned
Able to communicate clearly and follow verbal and written instruction in English
Operate a wide variety of farm equipment
Physically capable of passing a respirator fit test

Nice To Haves

2-4 years previous ag, field, or lab experience highly desirable.
Must be able to learn basic concepts of genetics and plant breeding.
Bilingual English/Spanish
Basic computer skills

Responsibilities

Act as a shift lead person for Garlic Cracking Line at Livingston Plant
Ensure that all documentation and safety procedures are performed and followed
Maintain continual line of communication with Seed Manager
Perform minor repairs and maintenance to maintain throughputs
Supervise activities of line inspectors and forklift drivers
Oversee fast-paced flow of activities including truck loading and unloading, movement of bins from storage to curing, optimal use of inspectors, and line sanitation
Routinely operate forklift
Able to work 2nd or 3rd shift and frequent overtime when assigned
Assist in all Research Nursery projects including: Erecting cage frames and cages in Research Nursery, Hand planting of selected bulbs for Nursery cages, Basic tractor work including disking, plowing, mulching, laying drip tape, cultivating, pulling beds, and pesticide applications, Hand weeding when necessary, Harvest of cage produced onion seed, Supervision of other hourly and temporary workers performing above tasks, Maintain inventories for research seed, tags, cages, and other supplies, Cage washing, storage, and maintenance
Travel to remote trial locations and seed production areas
Planting and harvesting of field plot trials
Onion seed field planting, seed harvesting, and combining
Garlic seed field certification
Planting and harvesting onion seed bulbs
Be an active participant in all seed production activities
Supervise daily activities of onion seed bulb grading line
Milling onion seed
Blending and treating of onion seed
Inventory maintenance of finished seed
When directed, safely mix and apply chemical treatments to Research Nursery or Compound using appropriate equipment including tractor mounted sprayers, backpack sprayers, and chemigation equipment. Also safely handle pesticides while treating onion seed.
Haul pallets of graded bulbs to storage location using company flatbed truck.
Participate in all other Research and Seed activities as assigned.