Field Technician - True Potato Seed Production

About the role

• Location: Watsonville, CA
• Department: Seed Production / R&D
• Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Field Technician to support True Potato Seed (TPS) production, with a strong focus on hand-pollination, emasculation, berry development, and seed extraction. Unlike vegetative (tuber) seed potato systems, TPS production relies on controlled sexual crosses between parent clones to produce botanical seed from berries. This role requires precision, patience, and comfort with delicate flower-level work in both field and greenhouse/screenhouse settings.

Key Responsibilities

Pollination & Crossing (Primary Focus)

• Execute seed production planting in appropriate TPS production location across the US planting sites
• Collect detailed data and maintain production records fully updated and report information as it happens.
• Follow the pollen collection and seed production SOPs to ensure high quality outcomes.
• Collect pollen from designated male parent plants at the correct flowering stage, ensuring viability (fresh collection, proper storage/temperature control)
• Perform hand-pollination by applying pollen to female flowers according to prescribed crossing designs
• Tag and label each pollinated flower/truss immediately with cross ID, parent line, and date to maintain traceability through berry set and harvest
• Monitor flowering synchrony between male and female parent plants and flag timing mismatches to breeders/supervisors
• Track pollination success rates, fruit (berry) set, and flower drop, recording data in field books or digital data collection tools
• Monitor berry development and maturity (color change, softening) to determine correct harvest timing
• Hand-harvest mature berries by cross/truss, keeping strict identity preservation and avoiding cross-contamination between crosses
• Assist with berry processing: crushing/macerating berries, fermenting pulp, and washing to extract true seed
• Dry, clean, and package extracted TPS seed lots according to protocol, ensuring accurate labeling for storage and germination testing
• Support seed viability and germination testing procedures as needed

General Field & Greenhouse Support

• Assist with planting, transplanting, and maintenance of parent clone plots (field, greenhouse, or screenhouse)
• Conduct regular field/greenhouse inspections to monitor plant health, flowering stage, and pest/disease pressure
• Rogue off-type or diseased plants to protect the genetic integrity of parent lines
• Support isolation requirements between crossing blocks to prevent unwanted pollen contamination
• Maintain irrigation, staking, and general crop upkeep for parent clone plots
• Operate small field/greenhouse equipment as needed (sprayers, irrigation systems, hand tools)
• Maintain meticulous, organized records in compliance with company and regulatory traceability standards
• Help coordinate seasonal labor during peak flowering, pollination, and berry harvest periods
• Follow all safety protocols, including proper PPE use when handling crop protection products, seed processing and field crop tasks.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor degree held with agricultural /plant science / seed production background preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, seed production, or related fieldwork (internship experience considered)
• Strong attention to detail and steady hands for fine, flower-level work (emasculation, hand-pollination)
• Ability to follow precise, protocol-driven procedures and maintain accurate identity-preserved records
• Comfort working in greenhouse, screenhouse, and/or open field environments
• Ability to work flexible hours, as flower receptivity and pollen viability are time-sensitive (often early morning)
• Ability to stand, bend, and work at bench or plant height for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 30-50 lbs
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Ability to travel 25% to different TPS production sites, some time up a week or more at times.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Botany, or related field
• Prior experience with potato production, TPS/hybrid seed crossing, or other hand-pollinated crop systems
• Familiarity with breeding nursery protocols, cross/pedigree tracking, or germplasm databases
• Experience with pollination, seed extraction/fermentation processes and seed cleaning equipment
• Experience with greenhouse pest/disease scouting and IPM practices

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform fine, repetitive hand movements (emasculation, pollen application, tagging) for extended periods
• Ability to work at bench height and plant height in greenhouse or screenhouse settings, as well as bending/kneeling in open field plots
• Comfortable working in warm, humid greenhouse conditions as well as variable outdoor weather
• Ability to walk plot/greenhouse rows repeatedly throughout the day
• Willingness to work early morning shifts during active flowering/pollination windows

Pay and benefits

Below is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications. This range is for the Watsonville, CA location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas.

Anticipated compensation: $27/hr