PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

This is a full-time regular Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) position supporting the wheat breeding program based in Waitsburg, WA. The incumbent has primary responsibility for managing nurseries and field breeding trials on-site and trials located throughout the Pacific Northwest wheat region. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: 

Assist the wheat breeding program in all aspects of field trials and breeding nurseries from seed preparation to design, planting, crossing, scoring, harvest, evaluation, data analyses, and database management. Manage plant production in field and greenhouse for seed increase, purification, screening, and crossing purposes. Operate and maintain field and small-plot equipment and apply pesticides as necessary. Manage and conduct grain and plant sampling and testing for end-use quality, molecular markers, diseases, and other key traits. The successful candidate will work closely with local staff in day-to-day operations and train and supervise temporary employees. The candidate will interact and collaborate with company staff, lab managers, product development specialists, sales representatives, contractors, growers, and researchers involved in co-development efforts. 

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Management of wheat breeding trials, including seed preparation, field trial design; land preparation and planting; pesticide and fertilizer applications, trial evaluation and data collection; harvest, seed sampling, processing and packaging. 
  • Management of on and off-station trials, including seed preparation, planting, harvest, plot maintenance, transport and operation of field equipment.  
  • Prepare and package seed stocks, including seed treatment, organization and field layout of breeding nurseries.  
  • Score trials and give opinion on lines to be advanced.
  • Manage database, seed stocks and prepare samples for evaluation of grain quality or molecular markers analysis. 
  • Maintain spray and fertilizer records. Maintain pesticide applicator’s license (WA and ID) and apply pesticides when necessary.  
  • Receive and distribute seeds for seed production, exchange, variety trials, product development and marketing etc.
• Manage wheat breeding nurseries, including seed preparation, field design, land preparation and planting, pesticide and fertilizer applications, scoring, harvest and database management.
• Conduct emasculations and pollinations in field and greenhouse.  
• Manage maintenance, service, and repair of breeding equipment, including small combines, threshers, and planters. Responsible for managing inventory of general supplies and small equipment.  
• Propose improvement on field protocol, breeding equipment and work organization.
• Interact and collaborate with other LCS and Limagrain breeding teams, and with researchers involved in co-development efforts.
• Interact and collaborate with laboratories and lab managers in sampling, project submission, result tracking and data entry; interact with basic seed manager, foundation seed manager in parent seed production and seed quality assurance. 
• Supervision and instruction of 5 to 15 seasonal and hourly employees as needed.
• Responsible for general organization and up-keep of station facilities.
• Participate in field days as needed.
• Due to the small size of the Waitsburg station team, incumbent will personally and practically participate in most all tasks conducted at the station.

Required knowledge & skills

• Candidate should possess good interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills, a working knowledge in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
• Detail oriented with good organizational skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently and with others.
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to participate in all LCS-PNW wheat breeding program duties.
• Have, or be able to obtain, a commercial driver’s license.
• Have or be able to obtain Qualified Supervisor level pesticide applicators license (General, R&D, Weed Management, Seed Treatment, Plants, Insects).
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work extended hours under variable environmental and ergonomic conditions associated with planting, harvesting, and note taking.   

 
Education & work experience required:

• Position requires a minimum BS in plant science, agronomy, horticulture, or related discipline and 3 years of experience, or equivalent job experience; MS preferred.
• Experience in commercial or research field crop management and operation of farm or research-scale equipment is required. Experience with cereals production and the cereal seed industry desired.  
• Experience with field research techniques including plot design, maintenance and evaluation of field plots, seed processing, data collection and analysis is desired.  

Physical demands of the essential duties:

• Candidate is required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands to feel objects, tools, and controls. The employee is required to sit, stand, bend, climb, and kneel. The employee must be able to lift/move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift/move up to 75 pounds. The employee must be able to see for precise tasks such as emasculation, as well as skills required for evaluation of disease and insect effect. 

Miscellaneous: 

• Reports to: LCS Wheat Breeder for the PNW.
• Internal relations: LCS Research division, marketing, finance etc.
• External relations:  contractors, seed distributors, technical staff from allied programs, academic research programs.
• Available: immediately.

We offer an excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with experience.

To apply:

Send resume and cover letter to: jobs-lcs@limagrain.com 

Applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Position is open until filled.

EOE