About the Opportunity

The Agronomist, Pest & Disease Extension role works closely with Driscoll’s local Agronomy, R&D Plant Health, and local Production teams to provide support and guidance to growers on pest and disease management. Pest and disease management continues to be one of the most challenging issues for growers’ success, as well as impacts downstream processes of supply and customer relationships. This position directly serves Driscoll’s mission by supporting our Berry Growers in their efforts to manage pests and deliver on Delighting the Berry Consumer. This position will spend extensive time in the field, working directly with growers and ranch managers. The main tasks for the Pest and disease Extension role include, but are not limited to; Provide Technical Assistance, offering guidance on identifying and managing pests and diseases, including recommending appropriate control measures and treatments. Facilitate education and training conducting workshops, field visits, and hands-on sessions to educate farmers on best practices for pest and disease management. Share up-to-date information on the latest research, technologies, and methods for pest and disease control. Regularly monitor certain fields to detect early signs of pest and disease outbreaks and advise on timely interventions. This role will facilitate communication and collaboration between farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to pest and disease management, and act as a subject matter expert on in-field pest and disease issues for growers and internal Driscoll’s partners and will be a resource for both growers and peers.

Responsibilities

•  Regularly visit production fields to understand and influence pest and disease management methods, support growers with technical advice on cultural and chemical pest and disease management.
•  Provide technical knowledge to local production teams when addressing on-field pest and disease issues. This could include: reviewing Product Use Reports, spray frequencies, identifying solutions, sharing product rotations and recommendations.
•  Collaborate closely with R&D Entomology and Pathology to be on the forefront of new technologies for pest management and plant health; Supports on-field evaluation and deployment of new alternative practices and technologies.
•  Engage with local agronomy team to provide support on pest and disease issues, understand current district trends and challenges, and offer technical recommendations.
•  Lead grower workshops to share best practices in pest and disease management.
•  Collaborate with other Driscoll’s partners as needed.
•  Engage with external trends of pest and disease management; stay in touch with new technologies, relationships with chemical manufacturers, trends in other crops, brings in additional resources.
 

Candidate Profile

•  BS in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Horticulture or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience. Must have field experience walking fields, working alongside with growers and providing written recommendations for pest and disease control.
•  Strong background in agronomic extension communication.
•  Passion for plants and pest and disease management.
•  Strong technical knowledge of pest and disease management, both cultural and chemical.
•  Able to partner with growers by identifying their needs, finding solutions, and influencing change.
•  Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
•  Strong organizational skills with ability to do multiple tasks and solve problems with a sense of urgency with minimal supervision.
•  Needs to be dependable, reliable, Self-starter, and able to work independently as well as a member of a team.
•  Able to lift 40 pounds, ability to work in field conditions.
•  Travel to local and regional farms will be required on a daily basis, with occasional longer distance domestic and international.
•  California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program are also required.
•  A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions are also required.
•  Valid Pest Control Advisor License. With a minimum of categories A,B and E.
•  Valid Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and Qualified Applicator’s License (QAL) is desired.
•  Advanced success of pest and disease management across multiple crops and growing regions.
•  Spanish/English fluency is required with particular emphasis on reading and writing in a bilingual environment.

Compensation & Benefits

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted.  The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.

 

Salary Range estimated for the Agronomist, Pest & Disease Extension role: $79,878.30/year to $119,418.00/year.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include:  401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.

About Driscolls

Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.