Research and Development Operations Trialing Research Associate.

About Us
At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the Wheat/Cereal Operations Team is currently seeking a Research and Development Operations Trialing Research Associate, to be located in Nampa, Idaho 

Role Purpose 
This role will provide key support of hybrid wheat test seed production and yield trialing based in Nampa, ID.  Will also be responsible for providing optimal field trial management, phenotyping and continuous innovation around new technologies and techniques to provide high quality data and seed.     
 

Accountabilities

• Work effectively to manage and deliver Hybrid Wheat pipeline.  
• Supports the execution of Hybrid Wheat test seed production along with collecting, high quality, yield trialing and phenotypic data.
• Supporting Pasco, WA operational during growing season.  
• Have excellent agronomic skills and knowledge of production system’s in Pacific Northwest wheat growing region.
• Manage logistics around seed movements to other internal locations.    
• Be proficient in database and inventory management tools. (SPIRIT, MINT)
• Be able to operate planting, harvest and spray equipment.  
• Expected to be a self-motivated, independent, detail-oriented, and responsible person. Must be willing to learn, troubleshoot independently, take initiative, perform self-directed daily tasks, and communicate effectively.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in an agriculture-related discipline and/or relevant experience preferred.
• Understanding and demonstrated use of modern agronomic practices.
• Proficiently communicate and work well as part of a team.
• CDL Class A or ability to acquire within the 1st year
• Pesticide Applicators License Holder or ability to acquire within the 1st year
• Excellent organization, leadership and communication skills. Good interpersonal skills and team work.  Ability to understand and communicate complex instructions.
• Updating and completing all requested documents on time so all other departments are aware of upcoming events.
• Communicating project needs efficiently and effectively.  (agronomy issues, etc.).
• Updating supervisor with workload estimates regularly in order to ensure enough 3rd party and/or FT help is available.
• Provide field status updates, including written reports as requested.
• Promoting teamwork within project crews.
• Ensuring crew knows and is trained in the project specifics (how-to’s, do’s and don’ts, field layout, etc.) concerning project types as well as clearly defining and communicating roles and responsibilities within the crew.
• Ensuring crew reports attend or make up 100% of HSES Safety training. 
• Completing task-specific training including protocols, task and equipment Job Safety Analysis, and Quality Metrics standards. 
• Conduct all activities in compliance with Syngenta Stewardship, Human Resource, and HSE requirements.
• Comply with all Federal, State, and Local regulations.
• Ensuring projects meet all specified timelines and milestones within project specifications and site planting requirements.  This includes, but not limited to, Planting, Sampling, Harvesting and shipping.
• Reporting and recording field issues quickly and follow up on all agronomic activities
• Maintaining regular updates with project Stakeholders including appropriate detailed notes and pictures of project status.
• Must be able to work independently while traveling to off-site locations to accurately collect and manage data obtained from trials.
• Plant, spray, maintain, and harvest crop trials to meet deadlines.
• Must possess strong attention to detail and an unrelenting commitment to quality.
• Receives and passes complex information on to required parties while making calculations and straightforward analysis as needed.
• Familiarity with seed technology industry and plant breeding methodologies.
• Experience with precision agriculture equipment and software systems.
• Knowledge of best practices in agronomic management.
• Knowledge of or experience with various manufacturers’ precision planting equipment.
• Knowledge of or experience operating commercial or research combines.
• Ability to use MS Office, Smartsheet’s, and other standard office software.
• Ability to use and support proprietary IT systems (SPIRIT & MINT) for data collection/analysis, tracking agronomic practices, and metric and KPI tracking.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  
Capable of working 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

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Field, greenhouse, laboratory, office.  Domestic and international travel required with occasional overnight stays. Stays at off-season production/nursery locations may extend to two to three weeks.  Potential allergens pollen, fungal spores, chemical pesticides in the field or greenhouse.
Seasonal travel to off station testing locations, project meetings.  Domestic travel required with seasonal overnight stays.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with precision agriculture equipment and software systems.
• A basic understanding of plant genetics and breeding is desirable
• History of implementation of continuous improvements and new innovations.

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution 
• Paid Vacation, 9Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

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.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)
        

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About Syngenta
Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.