Trialing Specialist Technician

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. 

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.  

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. 

Please note: This position will support Syngenta's Highland, Illinois site. This trialing team supports yield trials in a territory that includes Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. The role can be supported remotely. Optimal support locations are in the Highland – Effingham area.

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta's Operations & Trialing Team is seeking a Trialing Specialist Technician to support our Highland, Illinois site.

This role will support the Trialing Manager in executing research level yield trials on time, with high precision and accuracy in a safe, compliant manner in order to generate the highest quality data to allow identification of superior performing products in corn, soybean and wheat during the growing season.

This position will have a determined break period between the growing seasons (approximately 3 months). This role is a Peak Time Employee position, which is a permanent full-time employment position that allows the business to meet the demands and allows the employee to take an extended single leave during the non-busy months of the calendar year (one annual unpaid break required each year).

This is an annual position from February 1st, with the assignment ending October 31st.

Accountabilities:

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

Required:

• Associate's degree in agriculture related discipline and/or relevant experience.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driver's history is required.
• 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.

Desired:

• 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 is required.
• Pesticide Applicators License Holder or ability to acquire.
• A basic understanding of agriculture and agronomy practices is desirable.
• 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, including a planter, tractor, cultivator, sprayer, and combine.

Salary for the role is between $24 - $25 per hour.

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your 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.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

WL: 2A

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