Research Technician
Company: Vision Bioenergy Oilseeds
Location: Nampa
Posted on: September 11, 2023
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Job Description:
Vision Bioenergy Oilseeds (VBO) is a new agricultural joint
venture with the mission of developing, growing and marketing high
quality oilseed oil for use in the production of biofuels to help
create a cleaner, more sustainable future. We operate a research &
development center and processing facility in Nampa, Idaho and have
a corporate office in Longmont, Colorado. We are looking for a
Research Technician to support the Research Scientist and Breeding
Associates to gather data, implement tests and help ensure that
information is being properly recorded and assessed. They will
provide greenhouse and headhouse maintenance as well as managing
plant care in controlled growing environments. They will harvest
and inventory seed of breeding lines. May provide supervision and
guidance to temporary workers. BENEFITS:We offer a competitive
salary and an above average benefits package including medical,
dental, vision, medical and dependent flexible spending accounts,
health savings account, limited spending account, company-paid
short-term and long-term disability, company-paid life insurance &
accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), voluntary life,
AD&D, critical illness and accident insurance, employee
assistance program, 401K/401K Roth with company match, wellness
program, bonus opportunity program, and tuition reimbursement. The
successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Science in relevant
field (preferred but not required), with a broad theoretical
grounding, and/or two years of relevant experience. Must have
knowledge of agricultural practices, safety procedures and
greenhouse operations, familiarity with use of data collection
devices, and preferably has knowledge of experimental design.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:To perform this job
successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are
representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions. Greenhouse
(GH)/Headhouse (HH)/Lab: Provide care for greenhouse plants to
include sowing, watering, fertilization, and pest
control.Responsible for assisting Breeding Associate and Plant
Breeder in greenhouse operations to maximize plant growth and
characterization.Make observations and record plant
data.Troubleshoot plant or mechanical issues that arise and consult
Breeding Associate, and/or Plant Breeder and Station manager and
make timely adjustments when needed.Understand the need for special
treatment and isolation of various traits, pests, and
diseases.Cross, harvest, and maintain product and trait purity on
all germplasm seed production.Supervise and assist stationary GH
harvesting and HH cleaning of seed harvested from greenhouse or
field seed brought to the HH. Coordinate with Breeding Associate
and Plant Breeder for tissue sampling. Collect, prepare and ship
tissue samples to lab. FIELD RESEARCH:Assist in planting, field
care when appropriate and harvest operations.Collect plant and
grain samples for quality analysis.Assist in data collection.
Assist in setting up field signage and field tours as required.
GENERAL:Assist in seed packaging and sowing of nurseries and yield
trials.Collect and report data from experiments.Maintain accurate
inventory of research seed stocks.Become familiar with and use
various computer programs to record data.Possess or be capable of
obtaining a pesticide applicator's license (optional).Willing to
work additional hours/weekends to cover plant care operations in
the greenhouse. FACILITY MAINTENANCE:Knowledge of safety protocols
and maintenance of equipment and facilities Maintain, organize, and
summarize results of experiments, noting problem areas, while
recommending actions to be taken within standard procedures.Perform
other duties as assigned by management.May supervise the work of
temporary employees ensuring work is performed safely and in an
efficient manner.Participate in meetings, learning institutes, and
other educational opportunities that will lead to improved
efficiencies. HEALTH and SAFETY:Ensures that work is performed in a
safe and efficient manner during seed preparation, greenhouse, and
field planting, data collection, greenhouse bench and field plot
maintenance, nursery pollination, and nursery/combine harvest, and
seed cleaning.Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
by the position and/or task.Report any accidents, incidents, near
misses and hazardous observations to your supervisor immediately.Be
proactive about facility care and cleanliness.Maintain a clean and
organized work area.Follow company safety policies, protocols, and
procedures as provided via HSSE guidelines and updates at all VBO
facilities and 3rd party locations. Responsible for maintaining
assigned safety programs JOB FACTORS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work
environment characteristics described here are representative of
those an employee may encounter while performing the essential
functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is
regularly exposed to seasonal outdoor weather conditions including
extreme heat and cold and wet or humid conditions and also
Greenhouse conditions. The role routinely uses greenhouse
implements for plant care, planters, stationary harvesters, and
threshers, incubators, growth chambers, flow hoods, overhead water
systems, chemical sprayers, ATVs, climate-controlled seed room,
seed counters, seed loaders, assist in NIR machine sample prep. May
be required to work with commercially reared bees for plant
pollination practices. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While
performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly
required to stand; walk, including walk on uneven surfaces for
extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The
employee is frequently required to talk and listen. The employee is
occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee
must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust
focus.
Keywords: Vision Bioenergy Oilseeds, Nampa , Research Technician, Professions , Nampa, Idaho
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