Department: Research Operations

Position Title: Research Trial Specialist – Desert Southwest Region – Seasonal

Location: Imperial, CA

Pay Rate: $25.00 – $32.50 Hourly

Reports To / Supervisor:

Direct Supervisor: Research Coordinator (Functional) and Desert Southwest Regional Sales Advisor (Administrative)

Purpose:

At Vilmorin-Mikado (a business unit of Limagrain), you will contribute to the successful development of new vegetable crop varieties that nourish our communities. The objective of this position is to support the R&D external field testing needs for the Desert Southwest region (focus on Imperial and Coachella area). The Trial Specialist will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of a multi-crop R&D field trial program. The incumbent will evaluate trials and analyze the field data in order to make variety advancement recommendations. Through this process, the Research Trial Specialist will contribute to the overall success of the breeding programs. This position is expected to work collaboratively with sister companies under the Limagrain umbrella to ensure the long-term success of Limagrain’s Vegetable Seed Division.

Primary Functions:

Trial Planning:

• Work with the Breeders and the Research Coordinator and Desert Southwest Local Product Promoter (LPP), before the start of the crop cycle / season, to establish a strategic External Trial plan for each crop, taking into consideration the requests of the breeders as well as budget and time constraints. The trial plan must specify the protocols for the trials (for example, the number of trials per variety, plot size, planting/sowing dates, location, etc.) leading to an objective evaluation of the genetic potential of each tested material.
• Routine communication and a pre-season meetings with the Research Coordinator are essential to plan external operational activities.
• Inform the Research Coordinator of the trial plan and work together to prepare budgets concerning the trial activities (for example, expenses incurred for the experimental trials, travel, temporary labor, etc.). Thereafter, the Research Trial Specialist is responsible for managing and controlling the budget and expenses.
• Accept responsibility for the seed that is allocated by the Breeders for the External Trials. Maintain an accurate inventory of the trial seed, keeping a record of seeds used for planting and seeds dispensed otherwise.  At intervals preset by the Breeders, return remnant seeds or destroy them according to the Breeders’ instructions.
• Prepare the seed for planting. If necessary, work with local seed treatment or seed enhancement suppliers to disinfect, treat, prime and/or pellet the seeds according to planting priority.
• Obtain checks (control varieties) for the External Trials and keep an acceptable number of them and amount of seeds. Retain the receipts or invoices of the acquired checks.
• Prepare the planting list and design the layout of the trial.

Trial Implementation and Status Notifications:

• Implement the External Trial Plan which requires travel to the location where the trials will be implemented, assuming the responsibility of performing the sowings and transplants within the planned deadlines.
• With the support of the Desert Southwest Commercial Team, identify commercial farmers that are willing to provide farmland for the trials. Negotiate the conditions and cost of the trials and work with the Research Coordinator to prepare a formal agreement (contract) between the farmer and Vilmorin-Mikado that includes payment terms.
• Develop a direct relationship with farmers/producers to decrease dependency on Commercial Team.
• Interact with other industry partners such as transplant nurseries, seed dealers, laboratories, and government agencies as necessary to support activities.
• Actively manage the External Trial plan, including placement of the trials, sowing, transplanting, monitoring, evaluation, etc. Monitor the trials throughout their cultivation cycle and perform the appropriate trial management activities in a timely manner.
• Layout and mark the trials carefully to ensure accuracy and traceability of the material planted. Organize the test materials according to the planting scheme of the breeder.  Draw trial maps and distribute them to the Breeding Team.
• Monitor the trials and provide the Breeding Team with progress reports during the crop cycle. Describe details of the trials and important considerations of the site, region, producer, nurseries, climate, etc.  Also take note of the environment, cultural techniques, and pest/disease pressure.
• As the trials near maturity, notify the Breeding team and Commercial collaborators so they may visit the trial for evaluation. Plan and coordinate the Breeding and Commercial team visits and actively communicate with your manager, DV Manager, Sales Manager, and other relevant parties* concerning the trial status. *Always consult the Breeding Team before extending an invitation or information to other departments or third parties.
• The Research Trial Specialist supervises the external crews that help harvest the various trials as necessary.
• To ensure the trial program is on schedule, the Research Trial Specialist regularly informs manger about the progress of activities and reports the difficulties encountered.

Other Duties:

• Participate in meetings, activities, and trainings of local programs (improvement courses and updates related to the areas of genetic improvement, statistics, agricultural experimentation, mineral nutrition of plants, phytopathology, safety, health, and environment).
• During periods when not performing External Trial activities, the Research Trial Specialist may be asked to participate in seed processing, laboratory activities and selection of genotypes for the breeding process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equipment Management:

• Ensure routine maintenance and good working condition of trial establishment and maintenance tools.
• Expected to maintain company vehicle that is used to establish and manage external trials.

Expectations:

• Good attendance and punctuality.
• Willingness to occasionally work extended hours and weekends.
• Commitment to follow office and work site procedures.
• Ability to work well with peers and maintain a positive attitude.
• Maintain professional conduct.
• Good organization skills and ability to prioritize work.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to complete work with minimal supervision and to perform tasks with accuracy.
• Keep strong self-motivation and initiative.
• Travel to external trialing sites as needed.
• Expect to work overtime hours during peak activity.
• Maintain detailed records of activities; compile the information into monthly reports to be submitted to the appropriate teams.
• Actively support the safety and team wellness.

Qualifications:

• Associate Degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agribusiness, or related field preferred.
• Agronomic background or experience in field vegetables, or in fresh produce crop research/production.
• Experience in field trialing, including trial setup and field evaluations.
• Basic understanding of plant breeding.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently with strong critical thinking, organizational & communication skills.
• Some experience in MS Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate frequently and professionally.
• Ability to use field data collection instruments and devices, as required.
• Ability to travel frequently and to work under various environmental conditions associated with field trials (heat, dust, insects…).
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Valid driver’s license.

Physical Job Description:

Typical Working Conditions:

• Indoors:  Administrative work to occur in a typical office environment with numerous amenities.
• Outdoors:  Open field work can occur under temperatures as low as 30°F and up to 115°F and could be windy or rainy.
• Exposure to allergens, such as dust, and minor exposure to seed treatment products.  No exposure to extreme temperatures.
• May have minor exposure to agricultural chemicals.
• Restrooms facilities at times will be portable toilets.

Equipment Used:

• Standard office equipment including: telephone, computer, fax, copier, etc.
• Push planters and vibrating planters
• Hand and power tools
• Vehicle

Essential Physical Tasks:

• Lifting and carrying containers, which on occasion may weigh as much as 50 lbs.
• Walking on uneven ground
• Repetitive leaning and squatting
• Extended periods of standing
• Digging of plants
• Small construction; wood and metal work