About this role
Field Collection Technician Job Description
Job Title: Field Collection Technician Job Description
Reports to: Field Collection Lead
Position Status: Full-Time Seasonal
Compensation: $min - 19.5 (DOE)
General Job Description
Assists the Field Collection Lead to procure cuttings and divisions for in-house production meeting production demands in a timely and efficient manner.
Duties and responsibilities
• Willing to go through a training course with testing to best understand the practices and expectations of the position.
• Digging up grass clumps from the field
• Prepares grass material with a machete
• Work with growers to get the best possible cut stock
• Assists Field Collection Lead with documenting quality and quantity of stock material
• Cuts material in a sanitary manner while also keeping the integrity of the mother plant
• Ensure that the cut material remains healthy and is rotated as needed.
• May assist in the consolidation and Inventory of liner crops for WWNC.
• Assist with cutting preparation for TTA machine and/or hand sticking of seeds/TC/URC/Divisions.
• Reporting Daily production count to ‘direct report’
• Performs other duties as assigned
Production expectations
• Receiving and collection of material should only take a duration of 1-3 hours (depending on production load and type of material being produced.)
• Calculating cuttings per container - 1-10 minutes per variety
• Pruning of material approximately 1-3 hours depending on production quantity and weather conditions
• Receiving vendor material can take a duration of 15 minutes if 1-5 varieties. 1-3 hours for 1-5 boxes, or 4-7 hours if 5+boxes
Production expectations when assisting in Propagation sticking or TTA
• Sowing by hand 15-20 trays of 128/73 per employee per hour
• Sticking tissue culture 45-90trays of 72 per house, 25-50 trays of 128 per hour
• 4000-8000 cuttings per hour shift, or 500-1000 URC per hour
Production expectations when assisting in Growing or Phase II departments
• Grading cuttings from calluses or semi rooted material 720-1000 plugs per hour
• Weeding and consolidation
• Light weeding: 30-40 trays per hour
• Standard consolidation/weeding: 20-30trays per hour
• Heavy weeding/consolidation: 15-20trays per hour
• Pruning liners:
-Mechanical pruning (hedger, weed wacker with hedger attachment, Agronomic pruning machine):19200+ units per 8-hour shift
-Hand pruning expectation: 5600-7200 units per 8hours
Training and Testing
• Must be willing to receive training in regard to practices and critical thinking needs for position.
• Pass (in class and hands on) modules1-5. , Module 8 with a minimum score of 50%+ on each module
• Willing to take extra training in areas that pertains but doesn’t directly correspond with role: modules 6-7 and module 9
Skills and abilities:
• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong computer and math skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Skills and abilities in time management and task prioritization
• Ability to motivate oneself while paying close attention to detail
• Moderate to strong horticultural knowledge
• Works well under pressure
• Physical and environmental requirements
• Must be energetic and able to work long shifts with very little sitting time
• Must be able to work on your feet for 95% of a daily shift
• Must be able to bend over and stand up, using both arms repeatedly
• Must be able to grasp, pinch, and carry
• Must be able to use a tablet and stylus pen while counting/inspecting plants at various heights or positions
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must be able to push/pull up to 800 lbs. racks with wheels
• Must be able to perform tasks with arms raised above shoulder level
• Must be able to perform tasks on low stairs
• Must be able to work in adverse and uncomfortable climates and temperatures. This includes freezing temperatures and temperatures above 100*F
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain
Professional Mindset:
• Develops a working knowledge and awareness of LEAN principles and actively participates in building a culture of continuous improvement. Strives to ensure workflow processes and stations are set up to minimize waste, improve working conditions and safety, and maximize productivity and value to the customer.
• Demonstrates commitment to learning and upholding company policies including safety and quality standards, and the mission, vision, principles and ethics of WWNC.
• Develops a strong understanding of industry and WWNC quality standards and consistently delivers work that meets or exceeds those standards by following procedures, checking work for accuracy, and promptly addressing defects or issues.
• Takes initiative for personal growth by actively “learning the business”, seeking feedback from peers and supervisors, and engaging in relevant educational, training or professional development opportunities.
Other Requirements:
• Due to this position being an agriculture growing position, you may be required to work 7 days a week depending on seasonal growing conditions.
Employee Benefits:
• Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance
• 401 (k)
• Paid time off
• Aflac & LifeFlight options
$min - $19.50 (D.O.E)