About the Opportunity

The Agricultural Extension Communications Specialist will assist Driscoll’s Global Research, Breeding, and Agronomy departments in developing a strategy for agronomic extension and global knowledge transfer. This position will be responsible for leading the communication strategy that ensures global information exchange within our breeding, research and production departments, as well as effective extension to our growers internationally.

This position will be responsible for identifying creative, effective, and user-friendly conveyance of agronomic best practices and variety fact sheets to our growers globally. This position will also be responsible for identifying and managing technological solutions to support data collection and management, and ensure platform uniformity and connectivity between IT and our Breeding, Research, and Production databases.

About the Company

Driscoll's is the leading supplier and marketer of organic and conventional strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries in the world.
A fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company, Driscoll’s has built upon the genetic work and innovation of our founders to fulfill our mission to ‘Continually Delight Berry Consumers.’

We utilize traditional plant breeding methods to create plant varieties (genetic breeds) that produce ONLY THE FINEST BERRIES™. This plant material is then patented, cultivated in Driscoll’s nurseries and supplied to our independent farmer partners around the world to grow Driscoll’s brand berries. 



Driscoll’s company culture is rooted in our mission, values, and commitment to creating a supportive work environment that fosters open and friendly communication, encourages collaboration and team interaction, and provides clear focus and direction. 



At Driscoll’s, we’re committed to Growing Great People. This means that we help our employees learn about and support our overall business strategies. We also provide opportunities for individuals to grow along with the company. Most importantly, Driscoll’s encourages our employees to achieve their career growth and cultivate their personal well-being. For more information about our company, including our Mission and Values, please go to www.driscolls.com.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategy for technological and communication solutions that enable effective data collection, management, analysis, and extension/global knowledge transfer within Driscoll’s and to our independent growers
• Manage software and systems used for data transmission, reporting, and agronomic extension. Current tools include Huddle, weather stations and soil moisture monitoring systems (including disease and pest models)
• Interface with Driscoll’s IT department to ensure that our R & D group is getting the most out of our IT department in terms of technical innovation, platform uniformity, development of user-friendly interfaces, and on-going support
• Analyze, launch, and manage new technology solutions and/or software systems as needed.
• Educate and train team members and growers globally on the adoption and incorporation of new and appropriate technologies
• Assess growers and internal stakeholder needs and develop subsequent strategies to continually improve Driscoll’s agronomic extension and communication efforts
• Assist with user adoption, user support, troubleshooting, issue tracking and software documentation
• Perform relevant research reviews via scientific and agricultural journals
• Help develop and design annual Research report and other publications as needed
• Assist in organizing Global Research and Grower conferences
• Support the Global Agronomy and Research departments with other projects as needed
• Work with flexibility and openness to actively collaborate across Driscoll’s to advance global research, agronomy, and breeding goals
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Extension, Communications, Information Technology, Computer Science, or closely related field required. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Five years minimum working in an extension or communications role within the agricultural industry or related public institutions.
• Knowledge or experience with ‘train the trainer’ and other approaches to agricultural extension.
• Knowledge or experience with distance learning in agriculture.
• Experience with cloud-based software, database management, and agronomic technology strongly preferred.
• Superb overall communication skills – verbal, written and listening.
• Proficient technical writing skills.
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills.
• Knowledge of domestic and/or international agriculture practices and norms.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred (Spanish, Dutch, or Portuguese desired).
• Superb facilitation and project management skills necessary.
• Must have the ability to work cross-functionally at every level of the Company.
• Solid strategic and analytical skills.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, ACCESS, Huddle, iphone and ipad apps, and other data management or communication systems ideal.
• Ability to travel 10-20%. California driver's license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program. A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions requred.

To apply

Please apply via our website to job 1747 at http://www.driscolls.com/about/careers#careersjump 
and also send resume in Word or PDF to Cassandra.carvajal@driscolls.com