Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
Breeder technicians assist and support plant breeders with the development of new plant varieties. Technician work requires a high degree of accuracy, organization, and focus. Knowledge of plant production techniques, seed production and handling of plants is preferred but not required. Some overtime or weekend work may be required.
Technicians work inside greenhouses and outside in fields and must be able to tolerate working in hot, cold, humid, wet, and windy conditions. Additional physical requirements include standing for long periods of time, stooping or bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and lifting and carrying materials weighing twenty five pounds or less. Good vision and hand-eye coordination to see and manipulate small objects (flower parts) are crucial to performing technician work.
No previous experience is required for Level I technicians. One to three years of experience in a breeder technician role or similar capacity is required for level II technicians. Four or more years of experience in a breeder technician role or similar capacity is required for level III technicians.
A High School Diploma or GED is preferred but not required. The ability to speak English is preferable but not required for level I and II technicians. English or Bilingual language ability (English/Spanish) is a requirement for Level III technicians. Basic reading and writing skills are needed for level I and II technicians. Average or better reading and writing skills, and computer aptitude is required for level III technicians.
Job Duties:
· Sowing seed.
· Counting and recording seedling germination and plant flowering data.
· Transplanting seedlings and plants into trays and pots.
· Evaluating, preparing and pollinating flowers. Recording pollination data.
· Evaluating correct seed harvest stage and harvesting seed. Recording harvest data.
· Cleaning seed.
· Organizing, filing, and properly storing seed samples
· Collecting, packaging, and propagating (rooting) plant tissue samples
· Performing computer data entry, label printing, typing, and emailing
· Learning and following greenhouse sanitation policies, processes, and procedures
· Communicating with breeders, grower staff, supervisors, and other technicians,
· Learning and following plant breeding and plant production processes and procedures
· Working independently and in teams
Requirements:
Specific Performance Standards - Technician levels I (entry level), II, and III:
The primary differences between technician levels is experience, the ability to work independently without requiring frequent direction and supervision, the ability to communicate in English and Spanish, the ability to teach, direct and supervise others, and the ability to use a computer and computer programs. Technicians can move from level I (entry level) to level III (expert level) by setting goals with the support of their supervisor to learn and apply the skills required for each level. Note: Skills required for each technician level include all previous technician levels.
Sowing:
I. Sow seed of multiple crops by hand and/or using vacuum seed sowing heads.
II. Make crop cards used to identify and track sowings.
III. Teach technicians how to sow seed. Organize, execute, and manage sowings for breeders. Know and apply seed germination culture requirements, e.g., light, temperature, and moisture.
1. Germination Counts
I. Accurately perform seedling germination counts as a technician team member.
II. If asked, independently and accurately perform seedling germination counts.
III. Teach technicians how to perform germination counts. Independently schedule and perform germination counts. Lead and monitor technicians to ensure germination counts are performed correctly.
2. Transplanting
I. Transplant plants as a technician team member. Correctly space crop containers.
II. Communicate transplant quantities and bench layouts to growers.
III. Teach technicians how to transplant and space plants. Communicate breeder’s instructions to technicians. Lead and monitor technicians to ensure transplanting and crop spacing is performed correctly.
3. Pollination
I. Perform proper emasculation, pollination and pollen evaluation techniques on multiple crops. Correctly and consistently record pollination data. Monitor pollination work progress on assigned plants and report problems to the breeder technician assigned as a project team leader.
II. Meet or exceed expected work quantity and quality standards. Monitor pollination work progress and report problems to the breeder technician assigned as the technician team leader. Suggest possible pollination techniques to improve pollination and seed production success and/or efficiency.
III. Teach technicians how to pollinate. Lead and monitor technicians to ensure pollination work is performed correctly. Monitor pollination work progress within projects and report problems to the breeder. Monitor and report expected pollination completion dates to breeders.
4. Seed Harvesting
I. Recognize mature seed harvesting stages for multiple crops. Preform proper post-harvest seed handling. Correctly and accurately harvest and maintain seed in an organized manner. Correctly and consistently record harvest data. Meet harvest deadlines.
II. Meet or exceed expected work quantity and quality standards.
III. Teach technicians how and when to harvest seed. Monitor technicians to ensure seed is harvested at the correct stage of maturity, quickly, accurately, and on schedule. Suggest possible harvesting techniques or schedules to improve seed quality and/or efficiency.
5. Seed Cleaning
I. Perform seed cleaning and packaging for multiple crops. Deliver properly cleaned seed without mixtures. Correctly and consistently record harvest data on seed envelopes.
II. Meet expected work quantity and quality standards.
III. Teach technicians how to clean seed. Monitor technician teams to ensure seed is cleaned and returned to breeder on time. Monitor technicians to ensure seed is cleaned correctly, and data is written on envelopes. Suggest possible techniques or schedules to improve seed cleaning quality and/or efficiency.
6. Seed Sample Filing and Storage
I. Correctly file and store seed samples of various crops at your place of work.
II. Correctly file and store seed samples of all crops at your place of work.
III. Teach technicians how to organize and store seed. Take the initiative to file and store seed samples. Monitor technicians to ensure seed is filed and stored correctly.
7. Greenhouse Sanitation
I. Follow greenhouse sanitation procedures and protocols.
II. Learn to identify common greenhouse insect pests and diseases. Alert Greenhouse Manager when insects or diseases are found.
III. Teach technicians greenhouse sanitation procedures and protocols. Teach technicians how to identify insects and diseases. Independently identify and discard plants with virus and disease symptoms when approved by breeders.
8. Tissue Sampling and Cutting Harvesting
I. Correctly follow plant tissue sampling and cutting harvesting and rooting procedures of various crops at your place of work.
II. Correctly follow plant tissue sampling, and cutting harvesting and rooting procedures of all crops at your place of work.
III. Teach other technicians tissue sampling and processing procedures. Prepare and ship plant tissue samples for analysis. Teach technicians cutting harvesting and rooting procedures. Schedule timely stock plant renewal work.
9. Computer Skills
I. Basic typing and computer skills a plus
II. Same as level I
III. Basic typing and computer skills required. Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook. Perform breeding project data entry, reporting, and label printing.
10. Communication:
I. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferable. Basic reading and writing skills required.
II. Same as level I
III. Bilingual (English/Spanish) required. Reading and writing skills required. Able to utilize written and oral communication to convey needs with key contacts within the broader organization.
General Performance Standards:
· Follow breeder’s and/or supervisor’s pollination instructions.
· Consistently record pollination and seed harvesting data as instructed by breeders and supervisors.
· Demonstrate on-time and clear communication with coworkers, supervisors, grower staff, and Human Resource Department.
· Manage time wisely. Work fast without sacrificing accuracy and quality.
· Perform work skillfully with a high degree of accuracy, organization, and focus.
· File and store seed samples in proper order and conditions.
· Monitor the progress of your work and alert breeders and/or supervisors to potential problems as soon as possible.
· Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to organize and perform your work.
· Alert the Greenhouse Manager and Growers to plant insect pest and disease problems.
· Learn and follow work sanitation processes and procedures.
· Follow plant breeding and plant production processes and procedures.
· Strive to work independently but ask questions if you don’t understand something.
· Be on time and dependable
· Exhibit a positive attitude towards ideas and suggestions from coworkers, supervisors, and others.
· Be kind to and respectful of others. Be willing to help coworkers.
· Keep your work areas clean and organized.
· Follow facility and company policies.