Position Title: Research Assistant, Quality Control Specialist

Employment Status: Full Time, frequent weekends, some travel required

Location: French Camp, CA

Job Posting: Summer 2021

California Berry Cultivars, L.L.C., is an independent, private, grower-focused strawberry breeding company. Our current employees possess over 100 years of strawberry breeding experience and the owners are multi-generation strawberry growers and nursery plant producers. The company mission is to provide superior cultivars to growers in California, the U.S., and the international strawberry industry. We are focused on the rapid development of productive cultivars with high quality fruit and disease resistance that will meet the current and future needs of our commercial customers.

Summary Description

The Research Assistant will work alongside the Assistant Plant Breeder and Nursery Manager to meet goals of plant breeding activities as well as daily upkeep of the nursery site, which includes greenhouse and field work.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist in the execution of all greenhouse and field data collection required for the development of strawberry cultivars 
• Maintain site facilities and keep daily records
• Actively participate in all aspects of the cultivar development program
• Act as Quality Control Specialist for field crew to successfully complete weekly field tasks

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field
• Field-research experience, including the collection of field data
• Strong, intuitive understanding of horticulture
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office applications
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills
• Genuine work ethic, with a sense of urgency and can tolerate changes brought on by agricultural needs
• Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish a plus
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Ability to obtain California Private Applicator Certification

Working Conditions:

• Work under various central valley weather conditions, year-round in the field and greenhouse
• This position will require standing for long periods of time
• Occasionally working in a storage freezer set at freezing conditions
• On the job training
• Small company, all hands on deck working atmosphere

Applications:

Please send a cover letter detailing your experiences in relation to the essential job duties and responsibilities along with a resume, to emily@cbcberry.com

California Berry Cultivars, L.L.C. offers excellent benefits and a competitive salary and is an equal opportunity employer