Research Technician

Company: Vision Bioenergy Oilseeds
Location: Nampa
Posted on: September 11, 2023

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