About the Opportunity

The Assistant Test Plot Technical Grower will support the Soil Test Plot Technical Grower with all aspects of growing operations for R&D test plots for the Watsonville and Snelling areas.  The main focus of this position will be irrigation, fertilization, environmental data monitoring, pest & disease scouting and new technology implementation.

Responsibilities

• Regular field walks to ensure pests and diseases are being managed, plants are healthy and all growing is being done to the utmost quality.
• Assist technical grower and application supervisor with preparation of plant protection applications.
• Environmental data monitoring and data management including soil water availability, lysimiter Ec and pH, temperature and humidity.  Dissemination of data will be used to adjust irrigation, fertilization, acidification and assist in disease forecasting.
• Collect and submit soil, tissue & water sampling as needed.
• Assist in the development of new technologies in the breeding test plots.
• Ability to work well with all supervisors and employees at a ranch level.
• Follow Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc.
• Ensure the security of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.
• 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 jobs responsibilities.  At Driscoll’s, all of our jobs include broad responsibilities for continually improving the processes we use to develop our products.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Crop Sciences with 1-3 years experience. If no degree must have 3+ years of practical agricultural experience.  Experience with berry crops strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated planning experience and knowledge of farm infrastructure.
• Strong foundation in production agriculture and agronomic sciences.
• Ability to work in the field, office and corporate settings, including the ability to perform repetitive physical work as necessary.
• Ability to manage assets, including equipment, labor.
• Pesticide Control Advisor (PCA) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) not required but preferred.
• Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) or ability to obtain required.
• Experience with research protocols; knowledge of plant physiology, health and pest pressure assessment, knowledge of soils/water and agricultural practices.
• Proficiency with computer programs (Excel, PowerPoint, word, Outlook).
• Self-starter, hands-on, ability to work independently and work well with teams across multiple departments.
• Detail and solutions-oriented, effective verbal and written skills, good organizational, math, chemistry and analytical ability.
• Workplace communication in both English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Open attitude to try new systems and new technologies in farming.
• Work extended hours and weekends intermittently.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.  Work in outdoor conditions with variable temperature and weather conditions
• California Driver’s license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program required.
• Some travel required.

Compensation & Benefits

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted.  The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors. 

Salary Range estimated for the Assistant Technical Grower role: $53,592.00 to $75,000.00 USD.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include:  401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.

About Driscolls

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™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.