Job Description
Posting Start Date:  3/3/25
Offer ID:  667
Unit:  Vilmorin-Mikado
Job Title:  Seasonal Research Farm Technician
Job Location:  Gilroy
Contract type: 
Job Description: 

Function

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. Within this role, you will be responsible for providing support to research activities at your supervisor’s direction according to your competencies within the functions listed below.

 

Main Goal

Primary Functions

 

Greenhouse and Seed Activities

  • Conduct plant maintenance including planting, transplanting, cleaning growth area, tying plants to stakes, and watering plants
  • Manage seed harvesting including the harvest of cross-pollinated plants, single plant selections, and bulk seed increases
  • Maintain a clean and well organized work space and keep documentation on activities as need (as an example: crossing list and seed packet documentation)
  • Conduct pollination of lettuce, greens, tomato, onion, brassica, carrot, and pepper plants as directed by the supervisor
  • Clean seed of cross-pollinated plants, single plant selections, and bulk seed increases
  • Chemical application as directed by our licensed supervisor using handheld and powered equipment according to competencies and training
  • Fertilization and irrigation of plants as instructed by the Supervisor
  • Implementation of phytosanitary practices including pest scouting, zone enforcement, and related activities
  • Maintain irrigation system and tools necessary for the successful completion of work
  • Other duties as assigned

Job description

Equipment Management

  • Equipment preventative maintenance and inspection for tractors, implements, and related farm materials
  • Tractor and heavy equipment routine inspection

 

Farm Activities

  • Manage vegetable crops in small scale field research trials
  • Support sowings, thinning, cultivation, and weeding
  • Conduct seed harvest and threshing of plant materials
  • Irrigation work including moving pipes, setting up irrigation equipment, and maintaining drip lines and valves
  • Maintenance of facilities including cages, structures, workspaces, and other areas
  • Maintenance of work tools and materials
  • Conduct tractor work including discing, chiseling, bed lifting, bed shaping, and lillistoning according to competencies and training
  • Chemical application as directed by our licensed supervisor using handheld and tractor equipment according to competencies and training
  • Implementation of phytosanitary practices including pest scouting, zone enforcement, and related activities
  • Fertilization and irrigation of plants as instructed by the Supervisor
  • Forklift and other equipment operation

What we expect of you

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 a 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

Skills

Dependability
Initiative
Listening Skills
Personal Organization
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Information at a Glance
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Vilmorin-Mikado is a Franco-Japanese seed producer that has specialized in creating, producing, and selling vegetable seeds for professionals since 1743. As a responsible partner in the vegetable food chain, Vilmorin-Mikado is committed to helping better nourish people everywhere. Our wide range of unique, original seeds is distributed on five continents in more than 100 countries. Vilmorin-Mikado has more than 1,000 employees and recorded sales of €230 million in 2022-2023, of which 15% was entirely devoted to research. World leader in carrots and witloof chicory, Vilmorin-Mikado is also a major player in salads, tomatoes, sweet peppers, kabocha squashes, daikon radishes and bunching onions. Nearly three centuries ago, Vilmorin-Mikado's founders began our Tree Seeds work, which actively contributes to rebuilding sustainable forests.

Limagrain is an agricultural cooperative and an international seed group owned by 1,300 farmers located in Auvergne (in the center of France). Present in 49 countries and with 9,335 employees, the Group breeds, produces and distributes field seeds, vegetable seeds and agri-food products. Focused on the genetic progress of plants, Limagrain is the fourth largest seed group worldwide.
About us