Field Associate II

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Delivering the highest quality field data as part of North America's plant breeding R&D pipeline by providing optimal trial management.
• Implementing unique and innovative technology solutions designed to improve research design and operations success through the use of new tools and methodologies to improve overall plant breeding phenotyping such as the pilot and use of geospatial systems, agronomic planting and harvesting tools, harvesting shelling systems, and data capture applications.
• Collaborate with project team members to deliver detailed experimental protocols that enable advancement decisions by our scientists and placement decisions to our customers.
• Organize and execute day-to-day priorities of the site either alone or as the leader of a small team such as: pre-season logistical trial planning, safety, and compliance adherence in accordance with local and federal guidelines, and in-season phenotyping activities performed by contractors.
• Train team members and seasonal employees on standard operating procedures, site and operational safety guidelines, and tool operations.
• Engage in community relation activities including but not limited to community volunteer efforts, sustainability activities, and serve as a technical representative to external parties in partnership with commercial marketing and other functions on agronomic tops such as product pipeline development, agronomy practices, and compliance standards.
• Travel up to 15% of the time particularly during peak seasons, which could be within a multi-state region.
• Able to work extended hours during peak seasons (including non-traditional day time hours with the potential of limited overnight travel).

Required Qualifications

• BS in Agronomy, Life sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with at least 2 years of proven experience through the combination of previous employment, co-op, or internship job experience OR Masters Degree in relevant field with 1 year proven experience through the combination of previous employment, internship, or academic experience;
• Broad knowledge of agricultural equipment and row crop production practices and history of leveraging that knowledge in a research environment;
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team-based environment;
• Capable of pulling, analyzing, and maintaining large data sets;
• Basic understanding and passion for emerging trends in agriculture;
• Experience with both standard MS Office computer and software systems used in scientific data analysis, with the ability to quickly learn new software programs and tools;
• Ability to manage contract and hourly employees' work including coaching and counseling as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with precision agriculture hardware and software;
• History of implementation of continuous improvements and new innovations through the work on project teams.