Plant Breeding Technician

Plant Breeding Technician 1

(CA)

Quality Integrity Responsiveness

Wish Farms is a nationally recognized year-round supplier of berries with growing regions throughout the USA, Canada, South America, and Mexico. With our committed focus on providing the best-tasting berries, Wish Farms continues to see impressive market growth.

Established in 1922, Wish Farms is a family owned and operated grower, shipper, and marketer of berries. We employ a dynamic group of passionate individuals who believe in our mission of providing the best tasting berries through living our core values of Quality, Integrity, and Responsiveness.

We have a career opportunity available for a talented and motivated individual to join our team in Salinas, CA as a Plant Breeding Technician. The Plant Breeding Technician will assist the Plant Breeder in all aspects of running the breeding program. The candidate will help set up and execute essential aspects critical to the success of the breeding program. Qualified individuals will need to have a strong background in horticulture and high degree of self-structure with the ability to perform successfully under minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

· Making crosses and harvest of resulting fruit and seeds

· Treating seeds prior to planting

· Manage a seed inventory and monitor satisfactory seed storage conditions

· Sowing of seeds, transplanting, and care of seedlings in the lab, greenhouse and field

· Collection of data on families and selections in the breeding program

· Collect fruit samples for storage, sensory, and other testing purposes

· Data entry into breeding software program

· Supervise hourly labor as needed

· Propagation of advanced selections

· Manage micropropagation and seed germinations in the lab

· Maintain inventories and safe and sanitary conditions in the lab, greenhouse and field

· Collect miscellaneous data relative to improving the functioning of the breeding program

· Assistance with other related tasks as requested by management

REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, or similar Plant Science Preferred

· Bilingual English/Spanish - Preferred

· Strong communications skills, both oral and written

· Basic computer skills with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

· Valid driver’s license and occasional overnight travel required

· Ability to work occasional weekends or holidays

· Ability to work with hands and fingers, stand or walk, and capable of lifting 25 pounds

· Satisfactory post-offer background check

This position is full time and offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance as well as 401k with company match. Paid holidays & vacation too.

To apply, please respond with your resume and a letter of interest on why you would like to join the team at Wish Farms!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person