Research & Development Technician

Position Summary:

The Research & Development Technician pursues research and development (R&D) projects for the nursery, with a focus on citrus breeding and evaluation. This role also manages the Variety Development Program, including the development and maintenance of variety archives. The role is essential to support organizational goals and model best practices, guided by our values of Excellence, Accountability, Transparency and Stewardship (EATS).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads citrus R&D activities, including formalizing experiments using the scientific method and preparing written summaries of results.
• Executes all phases of the citrus breeding process, including hand pollination, seed extraction, rouging, mutation breeding, field evaluation, and plot design.
• Develops and proposes new research initiatives to advance nursery’s breeding and evaluation efforts.
• Coordinates with the Production team to plan, schedule, and allocate resources for breeding and trial programs.
• Prepares monthly status updates and periodic reports for the General Manager.
• Interfaces with university researchers and external consultants on citrus-related projects.
• Maintains breeding greenhouse and field trial plant material, ensuring care and performance evaluation of citrus varieties.
• Oversees experimental design, trial execution, data collection, and interpretation related to economically important traits.
• Trains and instructs staff in job-specific tasks, safety protocols, and equipment usage.
• Collaborates with irrigation and greenhouse supervisors to support plant health and optimal growing conditions.
• Communicates with Variety Development consultants and Variety Managers as directed by the General Manager.
• Organizes, assigns, and may supervise tasks and personnel as directed by the Production Manager.
• Partners with the safety team to promote a positive safety culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily, including all important aspects of the job- whether performed daily, weekly, monthly, or annually; and any duty that occurs at irregular intervals. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Skilled in experimental design, trial execution, and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of citrus plant biology and variety performance evaluation.
• Ability to perform “bug checking” and identify citrus pests.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate instructions and coordinate team activities.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; Spanish proficiency for basic nursery tasks preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to perform mathematical functions using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing tasks and follow structured timelines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in plant science, horticulture, or related field preferred.
• Greenhouse production and R&D experience strongly preferred. 
• Current Private Applicator Certificate preferred