Job Description

PURPOSE:

The Greenhouse Technician Kimberly assists the greenhouse manager and senior technicians in all aspects of greenhouse operations, including hand crossing, seed multiplication, seedling production, leaf tissue sampling, and record keeping in support of breeding programs. Supervises and trains employees and temporary workers to adhere to quality standards and protocols.

KWS offers a robust benefit package which includes competitive salary ($3 794,4), annual bonus, PTO, 401K, health, vision and dental insurance!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Execute all aspects of sugarbeet seedling production; including soil media preparation, planting, transplanting, plant selections, staging, and handover.
• Conduct hand crosses in the greenhouse according to Breeders’ specifications; including soil media preparation, plant selections, planting, removal of pollen (emasculations), pollinations, and seed harvest.
• Conduct marker orders and leaf tissue sampling; staking and sampling.
• Organize and conduct daily plant health maintenance; including insect and disease scouting, fertilizing, watering, and pruning at all locations.
• Accurately maintain records for all activities; including transplanting and planting inventories, selection list, DNA harvest lists, seed harvest lists, and seedling staging lists.
• Assist in training for seasonal employees and staff.
• Aid other station groups as needed.
• Ensure safety policies and personal protective equipment is used correctly.
• Ensure Company Handbook, Rules, Guidelines and Procedures are followed.
• Meet attendance requirements outlined in the Company Handbook.
• Occasionally travel and/or drive on behalf of the business.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience or knowledge working in Microsoft Applications (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to work variable hours, including occasional weekends as required by the business
• Ability to work independently as a self-starter as well as in a large group
• Ability to work flexibly between (3) locations and various project cycles
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with immediate team members, Breeders, and various Station teams
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with consistent attention to detail and accuracy

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in the following: Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Ecology, Biology, or Natural Sciences
• 1+ years’ experience in a research greenhouse environment
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish)
• Forklift experience

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Perform indoor and occasionally outdoor work in variable conditions including heat, cold, dust, wind and rain. Greenhouse and occasionally field environments with exposure to pollen and handling chemicals. Daily work can be repetitive and monotonous. Occasional overnight travel as needed, some out of state.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.