Foundation Seed Assistant

About United Genetics

United Genetics was founded in 1990 with headquarters in Hollister, California. What began as a family-owned seed company grew into an international vegetable seed organization with subsidiaries in Italy, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, India, and Jordan.

United Genetics proudly offers top quality processing tomato, fresh market tomato, hot pepper, sweet pepper, watermelon, squash, and cucumbers seed, among others. We focus on the needs of diverse customers along the vegetable supply chain, thinking of the grower by securing the versatility and robustness of the product performance, and the consumer, by focusing on the physical appeal, nutritional value and the taste of the outcome of our genetics. 

Benefits Summary:

We are proud to offer a well-rounded benefits package designed to support the physical, financial, and personal well-being of our employees. Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. Vester and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). 401K with company matching, Life insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Vacation, Sick Time, and Paid holidays.  

JOB PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

Foundation Seed Assistant assists foundation seed production coordinator in performing a variety of routine or repetitive technical duties in the office, greenhouses, and field.

• Assist the Foundation Seed Coordinator in conducting day-to-day activities in greenhouses and open fields, including, but not limited to, sowing seeds, watering seedlings, field plot layout, transplanting seedlings, pollinating, harvesting, deseeding, and cleaning seeds.
• Helps foundation seed coordinator to conduct miscellaneous tasks including, but not limited to, data collection, seed           inventory, sowing, tissue sampling, seed sampling, label making, and labeling packets and stakes. 
• Monitors plant conditions, growth stages, and diseases.  
• Work in collaboration with the foundation seed assistant at Bakersfield.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.
• Gives third-party laborers instructions to conduct the tasks safely, accurately, and efficiently.  

POSITION DIMENSIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level and Focus: High School Diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred. One to three years of research farm experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

Interpersonal and Communication: 

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them at all times. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking clearly so others can understand you. The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person and to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Technical and Analytical:

Analytical thinking to recognize problems and find solutions to apply the fundamental skills and working knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures necessary for fulfilling responsibilities. Ability to pay attention to detail. Ability to receive training and to work with lab chemicals and apply agro-chemicals upon request. 

Use common office equipment (computer, printer, fax machine, copier, and phone). Knowledge of: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Analytical mind to recognize the problems and find solutions and to apply the fundamental skills and working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures necessary for fulfilling responsibilities. Requires great attention to detail.

Physical Demands:

Deal calmly and effectively in a seasonally demanding work environment. Working flexible hours or overtime on short notice may be required. Must be able to work in the office and fields/greenhouses under various ambient conditions, particularly reduced air-quality and in periods of high temperatures possible exceeding 100 degrees F. Must be physically fit to walk, bend, kneel, squat, bend your neck, and lift up to 50 lbs.  

Work Environment: Office, open field, cages and greenhouse work with temperatures close to 100 degrees, walk on uneven surface and often be exposed to chemicals.