Trialing Specialist Technician

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities. We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance. Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet.

About the role

This is a hybrid position. Candidates must be located within a one-hour commuting radius of Evansville, IL. The role supports the Trialing Manager in executing research-level yield trials on time, with high precision and accuracy, in a safe and compliant manner, to generate the highest-quality data for identifying superior-performing products in corn, soybean, and wheat during the growing season. This position includes a designated break period between growing seasons (approximately three months). It is a Peak Time Employee position, a permanent full-time arrangement that allows the business to meet seasonal demands while enabling the employee to take an extended unpaid leave during non-busy months (one annual unpaid break required each year). The annual position begins February 1 and ends October 31.

Responsibilities

• Function as an integral member of a team responsible for planting, plot maintenance, spraying, note taking (phenotyping), and harvesting research-level yield trial plots.
• Operate and maintain agricultural machinery and/or agricultural research equipment, such as precision planters, drones, automated phenotyping equipment, and research combines.
• Perform all tasks and work in a manner compliant with and supportive of all safety- and stewardship-related company policies and practices, as well as completion of all required company training courses.
• Support tasks to achieve the Trialing Manager’s desired results (e.g., assisting the team with field layout, planting, phenotyping, and harvest).
• Effectively and regularly communicate with peers and supervisors regarding project status, work-related activities, and the quality and timeliness of data collected.
• Plant, spray, maintain, and harvest research-level corn, soybean, and wheat trials to meet data quality standards and operational deadlines.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in an agriculture-related discipline and/or relevant experience.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driver's history.
• Ability to work in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship support from Syngenta.

Qualifications

• Experience in operating and maintaining agricultural machinery and/or agricultural research equipment.
• Ability to work with a moderate level of supervision while traveling to off-site locations to prepare, plant, and accurately collect and manage data obtained from trials.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a federal medical card to operate commercial motor vehicles.
• Pesticide Applicators License Holder or ability to acquire.
• A basic understanding of agriculture and agronomy practices.
• A basic understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• Experience in the operation, adjustment, maintenance of, and ability to do minor repairs on various plot equipment, such as a planter, tractor, cultivator, sprayer, and combine.

Pay

Salary for the role is between $24 - $28 per hour.

Benefits

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for work-life balance.
• Flexible work options to support work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.