Field Research Technician

Company description

Sandy Knolls Research Inc. is a Canadian contract research organization that conducts third party Field Research on behalf of pesticide manufacturers, grower associations, and governmental organizations. The data that we collect and submit to our clients act as supporting data for product label expansions and/or for the registration of new products into the Canadian market. Majority of our annual efficacy trials consist of crop protection and nutrient inputs through the evaluation of pesticides and fertilizers.

Job description

Job Description:

The successful candidate will assist in the day-to-day operations at Sandy Knolls Research Inc. and report directly to the President. As a vital team member at Sandy Knolls Research, the successful candidate will perform duties related to the conduction of scientific agricultural research as well as the proper agronomic production of field crops, tender fruit, and specialty crops. The candidate will be trained on proper safety policies, maintenance procedures, and the operation of a diverse array of field and plot equipment. A nine (9) month contract will commence March 1, 2023 and conclude November 30, 2023. Depending on the candidates competence and performance in conjunction with potential growth, the possibility of a permanent position could be made.
Their responsibilities include but are not limited to the key duties listed below.

Candidate Requirements:

- Recent graduate or current student enrolled in post-secondary an agricultural/environmental program or has agriculture related work experience

- Self qualities of independence, team player, ambitious, diligent, and adaptable

- An understanding that 40-hour work weeks will be the norm but flexible hours are necessary to accommodate for early mornings/late evenings when seasonal workloads are at their peak

- An understanding that field work includes a diversity of weather conditions and exposure to odd wildlife encounters

- A pair of safety work boots and a valid Class G or equivalent driver’s licence

- Access to a reliable vehicle or method of transportation to and from the research farm

- An understanding that certain tasks can be tedious and meticulous

Candidate Assets: (not required but beneficial)

- Knowledge on field, tender fruit, and specialty crop agronomics

- Pesticide Licence under the Grower Pesticide Safety Course

- Technical experience with equipment, tools, lubricants, and chemicals

- Proficient in Microsoft Office platform

- Experience with ARM software (Agriculture Research Management)

Key Duties:

- Receiving, logging, and storing of deliverable contents

- Offsite pickup of crop seed, fertilizers, and orchard supplies

- Maintenance and season preparation of field equipment

- Calibration of scientific instruments, spraying booms, and scales

- Trial setup (including flagging, tillage, fertilizing, and plot staking)

- Crop and trial planting (equipment operation and data documentation)

- Crop maintenance (includes pruning, thinning, scouting, tying, fertilizer/pesticides applications)

- Trial applications (preparation of test items/ equipment, applications, cleaning of equipment)

- Irrigation (setup and operation)

- General maintenance (includes mowing, cleaning, oil/grease intervals, weeding, and repairs)

- Assistance with evaluation parameters (scouting, documenting, plot photography, etc.)

- Harvesting assistance (equipment operation, documenting, sample collection, etc.)

- Data entry and computation

Work Remotely

• No

Job Types: Contract, Permanent, Full-time
Contract length: 9 months

Salary: $3,500.00-$4,500.00 per month

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Application question(s):

• Mono Ammonium Phosphate has an analysis of 11-52-0, what does the numbered analysis represent?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Pesticide Grower's Safety Certificate (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2023-01-31