About Sakata:

Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America was established in 1977 as a research, production and sales division of Sakata Seed Corporation. Our mission is to quickly and efficiently meet industry expectations for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Sakata Seed America is headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA. Our research facilities include stations in Salinas, California; Yuma, Arizona; Burlington, Washington; Woodland, California; and Fort Myers, Florida. These facilities focus on vegetable breeding and trialing. Today, we continue to challenge ourselves to be the industry leader for innovation, quality, reliability and service. 

LOCATION: Woodland, California, USA

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Breeder will assist in the evaluation, development, and identification of competitive melon varieties for the Sakata Seed America melon breeding program. They will be responsible for performing and/or coordinating diverse tasks such as sowing, transplanting, crop maintenance, sanitation, harvesting, evaluation, record keeping, data entry, and seed extraction and cleaning. Most activities will be performed at the Woodland Innovation Center (WIC) and be conducted in accordance with specific directions and protocols.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Assists in evaluation of trials and breeding blocks. Takes complete notes during crop development. Assists the project leader in their evaluations or completes the evaluations as required. Assists the project leader in inbred line selections and other daily tasks. Assumes responsibility for these tasks during the breeder’s absence.
• Takes every reasonable opportunity to enhance the quality of transplants before taking them to the field.
• Maintains greenhouse, cage and open-field plants for the melon breeding program. Duties include the coordination of sowing, thinning, weeding, watering, fertilizer application, temperature and humidity control, and daily examination for insect and disease problems.
• Coordinates chemical applications for pest and disease control with the field manager or their assistant.
• Performs routine plant breeding tasks associated with the melon breeding project. These include sowing seed for trials, transplanting, making pollinations, harvesting, packaging, storing seed, fertilizing and seed inventory. Maintains orderly inventory in seed vault and reorganizes as needed.
• Coordinates the preparation and shipping of seeds and plant materials to off-site locations, based on instructions from the breeder.
• Prepares and sows seed for local field trials, both on and off the research station.
• Assists in coordinating the harvesting and cleaning of selections made in each trial.
• Coordinates individual breeding projects as directed by the project leader.
• Serves as a work leader for a group of field workers or technical employees, and assigns work, provides technical direction, and coordinates activities to ensure efficient and precise completion of tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to, seed sowing, plant tissue sampling, transplanting, controlled pollinations and hybrid seed production, seed extraction and cleaning, and post-harvest cleanup.
• Assists in writing summary reports for each trial by providing project leader with supporting data, photos, and notes.
• Assists in maintaining the melon breeding database.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Basic horticultural knowledge; additional knowledge in biology, genetics or other fields relevant to the breeding program is an asset.
• Willingness to improve knowledge relevant to the melon breeding program.
• Very well-organized; capable of maintaining accurate, easily accessible records.
• Ability to work precisely and efficiently under strict time constraints and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English; bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Experience with spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.
• Ability to work extra hours or weekend duty as assigned.
• Ability to handle stress and remain motivated amid crucial projects, deadlines and substantial workload. 

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• BA/BS degree in an agriculture-related field or the equivalent in work experience, preferred. Practical experience will be heavily weighted.

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND:

• Minimum 4 years seed, agricultural experience and/or crop experience required.
• Farm background desirable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must have valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must have ability to perform work in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to travel as necessary.
• Must have ability to lift over 50 pounds on a seasonal basis.
• Must be able to work with chemicals and other irritating substances.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear when required.
• Must be able to work in dusty, windy, and wet conditions.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.

APPLICATION

Please send all applications to HR@Sakata.com 

* To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.