Seed & Nursery Technician

About the role

Join the skilled team at Sensient Technologies, where collaboration and hard work drive solutions to tough problems. As a Seed & Nursery Technician, you’ll contribute to research and seed production through hands-on agricultural work, supporting field trials, nursery operations, and seed processing. This role involves primarily onsite work with occasional overnight travel to remote field locations for planting and harvest activities.

Responsibilities

• Support research field trials by planting, maintaining, harvesting, and collecting data from research and seed production fields.
• Lead daily activities for seed processing operations, including coordinating team members, maintaining workflow, and following safety and quality procedures.
• Operate and perform basic maintenance on farm equipment, tractors, forklifts, sprayers, and other agricultural machinery.
• Assist with nursery operations, including planting, cultivating, harvesting, inventory management, and maintaining research materials and supplies.
• Safely prepare and apply crop protection products and seed treatments using approved equipment and established safety practices.
• Maintain accurate seed inventories, assist with seed grading, blending, milling, and storage, and support additional research projects as assigned.
• Travel periodically to remote field locations for planting, harvesting, and other seasonal research and seed production activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working in agriculture, field research, seed production, laboratory operations, or a related environment is preferred.
• Ability to safely operate agricultural equipment and obtain proficiency with a variety of farm machinery.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to follow written and verbal instructions in English and work effectively with a team.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to supervise temporary or seasonal team members when needed.
• Ability to routinely lift up to fifty pounds, work outdoors in varying conditions, and successfully complete a respirator fit test.
• Valid California driver's license and willingness to travel overnight for seasonal planting and harvest activities.

Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to agricultural research and the development of future seed products.
• Hands-on experience across research, nursery, field, and seed production operations.
• Variety in daily work with opportunities to develop technical and equipment operation skills.
• Collaborative team environment focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Leadership opportunities through supervision of seasonal team members and coordination of daily operations.
• Exposure to multiple areas of agricultural research, seed production, and field operations.

About Sensient

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors, and extracts. The company employs advanced technologies at facilities worldwide to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, specialty colors, and other specialty and fine chemicals. Sensient Agricultural Ingredients, based in Turlock, California, is one of the largest producers and distributors of dehydrated onion and garlic products, chili powder, paprika, chili pepper, and dehydrated vegetables such as parsley, celery, and spinach. These ingredients are used in many of today’s popular convenience foods.

Due to our inability to offer visa sponsorship, we can only consider candidates who are authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment visa sponsorship.