Applied Research Technician

Job Description

Part-TimeApplied Research Technician

: Applied Research

Watsonville, CA

$18.00-$24.00 per hour (part-time; 20 hours per week)

Up to six months

:

The Applied Research Technician will be involved in the day-to-day program activities and data collection in both test plot and grower field settings for all four berries. These responsibilities will include (but are not limited to): helping to set up trials, controlling proper growth and development of the plants, collecting growing and production data, field observations, postharvest evaluations, data analysis and reporting. This role will work closely with the local Applied Research team and interact with multiple departments within Driscoll’s, including R&D Farming, Breeding, Production, QA, and more. This position is part-time for a duration of up to six months.

Required Qualifications:

• 1 to 3 years of professional work experience in plant-related industries/institutions
• Demonstrate high attention to details and proactive response
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
• Good written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with other team members.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently with effectiveness
• Must be able to work in an outdoor setting (field conditions) as needed
• Have the ability to lift to 40 pounds as needed
• Demonstrate our company values of Passion, Humility and Trustworthiness
• Possess a valid California driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Effective bilingual communication skills (Spanish and English)
• Prior experience analyzing and reporting out data
• Prior plant growing experience
• Prior irrigation and fertility knowledge preferred
• Ability to work weekends as needed
• Have flexibility in working hours

• Assist in test plot/field observations and data collection within all the four berries trials. This includes but is not limited to: helping during pullouts and packing, training canes, measuring bud break and other developmental parameters, scouting for pests and other issues, transporting, and submitting fruit for flavor testing, QA and shipping.
• Responsible for carrying out scheduled tasks in a timely manner.
• Walk test trials regularly to monitor overall crop health, check for issues, and coordinate with direct supervisor future planned activities.
• Assist in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ensure Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.
• Adhere to food safety requirements while on the job sites.
• Represents Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like professional manner in all interactions with growers, co-workers, suppliers, customers and the business community at large.
• Other duties as assigned by local leadership. *

:

Driscoll’s is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll’s exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll’s is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

*This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by employees in this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all the job's responsibilities. At Driscoll’s, all our jobs include broad responsibilities for continually improving the processes we use to develop our products.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 20 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Experience level:

• 1 year
• No experience needed
• Under 1 year

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Work Location: In person