JOB FILLED - Agronomist

Grimmway Farms is seeking an Agronomist to join their team in Bakersfield, CA.

PURPOSE:

This is an opportunity to be involved in agriculture on a national scale with a rapidly growing farming company. The purpose of the position is to serve as an internal agronomist that assists in the development and implementation of total crop management plans for vegetable and agronomic crops, with a focus on soil fertility and plant nutrition.
 
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• This position is specifically for an agronomist with soil fertility and plant nutrition expertise.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition, Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of plant and soil science and its practical application in a farming environment required.
• Experience working with vegetable and agronomic crops specific to California and the Western US, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeast is preferred.
• Prior experience working with fertilizer, interpreting soil and tissue test reports, and making fertilizer recommendations required.
• Must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant, applied field experience.
• Agricultural regulatory policy background desirable.
• Experience with both conventional and organic fertilizers and crop production systems is a plus.
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills as evidenced by publications in refereed journals or technical papers.
• Familiar with experimental design and statistical methods commonly used in agriculture.
• Computer literate with high competency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, ARM or other data collection and analysis software.
• Research, mathematical, and analytical skills, including general aptitude with statistical analysis software.
• Must have strong communication and presentation skills and be able to work effectively with all levels of employees and administration.
• Must obtain Certified Crop Advisor license within one year of employment and be kept current and in good standing thereafter.
• Must have a strong fiduciary mindset and be a person of high integrity who can be trusted to handle confidential or privileged information responsibly.
• Must be willing to travel overnight on a seasonal basis up to 20% of the time.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean DMV record.
• Must pass pre-placement drug/alcohol screen.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• The agronomist will help execute and improve the agronomy program for all crops in all production regions with a specific focus on soil health and crop fertility.
• The job will be hands on with significant time spent in the field assessing crop performance.
• Must become an authority on conventional and organic fertilizers and pesticides used in the production of relevant crops and will be responsible for making fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations and advising on effective cultivation, irrigation, and pest management strategies.
• The Agronomist will also serve as a member of the R&D team to conduct research to increase ROI, create efficiencies, solve problems, and test new farming concepts and technologies.
• The Agronomist will also work with others in the company to develop strategies for satisfying regulatory requirements related to water, nutrient, and pesticide use.
• Also responsible for keeping the company informed of significant changes in the industry, including emerging regulatory issues related to crop production.
• Must develop and maintain effective working relationships with other team members, vendors, industry and university representatives, and government officials/agencies.
• Assuming leadership roles in the industry and serving on applicable committees/boards is encouraged.
• Must represent the company with the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
• The agronomist may be asked to perform duties outside of this general description of essential job functions and must be willing to do any activity that exists on the farm, including menial tasks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to move about inside the office, food processing facilities and/or farming fields.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity equipment.
• Ability to continuously work with product and equipment at ground level.
• Ability and willingness to continuously work outdoors all day in various and sometimes extreme weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work with farming chemicals.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain both on foot and while aboard moving equipment.
• Ability to get on and off various stationary and moving equipment.

Benefits:

ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES:

• Competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• 401k plan with a discretionary match, subject to a vesting schedule.
• Paid Sick, Vacation, Holiday Time and Personal Hours.
• Local car dealers discounts for Employee Vehicle Purchase/Lease Programs.
• Subsidized gym membership with InShape health clubs.
• Free on-site personal training and other wellness-focused activities at company gym.
• Tuition discount partnership program with University of La Verne.
• Discounted tickets to major theme parks throughout California.