Field Operator

JR United Kingdom; South Kesteven; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A leading company in the soil carbon sector is seeking a Field Operator to manage soil sampling operations across the UK and Europe. The role involves operating specialized machinery, collecting soil samples, and ensuring equipment maintenance. Comprehensive training will be provided at the Dundee facility. Candidates must possess a valid UK driving license and demonstrate practical skills for this hands-on position.

Benefits

Per diem allowance for accommodation/subsistence

Qualifications

• Ability to operate equipment independently.
• Experience in basic vehicle/equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Daily operation of soil sampling platform.
• Collection of physical soil samples from pre-planned locations.
• Navigation from farm to farm safely.

Skills

Practical skills

Physical fitness

Safety protocols

Education

UK Cat C1/C1E driving license

CPC and tachograph card

Tools

Hydraulic machinery

Job description

Location: UK and Europe (training and HQ at Dundee)

Term: Zero hours contract basis

Salary: c. £240+/day (+ additional per diem allowance for accommodation/subsistence)

Dates: Project work available throughout the year

About Agricarbon UK

Agricarbon is an ambitious start-up in the fast-emerging soil carbon space. Demand for carbon removals is forecast to grow exponentially in the next few decades. It has been estimated that agricultural soils have the capacity to capture up to 1 trillion tonnes of CO2 through regenerative farming practices.

Agricarbon develops innovative technology-based services that measure soil carbon with the highest level of accuracy and at ultra-low cost. This is a vital missing link to allow soil carbon capture projects to demonstrate and secure payments for CO2 removal, unlocking farm soils as a vast carbon sink opportunity. Our aim is to make a meaningful contribution to mitigating climate change within the next 10 years.

Based in Dundee, Scotland, Agricarbon targets established international carbon removal markets while helping develop the soil carbon market in the UK and Europe. Through science-led innovation in automation and systems engineering, Agricarbon aims to set a global gold standard for reliable, affordable soil carbon certification and to unleash a new wave of climate-mitigating regenerative farming practices.

We have recently completed Series A fundraising to scale our operations rapidly and have multiple contracts to fulfill for large food and beverage companies/project developers in the UK, Europe, and internationally.

Role Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to play a front-line, hands-on role in operating Agricarbon’s cutting-edge soil sampling platform and capability.

As a Field Operator, you will report directly to the Field Operations Manager. You will operate Agricarbon’s on-field machinery (an ATV and rear-mounted soil sampling machine) and be primarily responsible for the successful extraction of high-quality soil cores with specialist equipment and collecting all associated data via a mobile app.

While you will work on your own platform, you will often work together with another operator running a second platform on the same farm. You will be responsible for taking care of all your equipment, including daily and weekly maintenance. Comprehensive training will be provided at the Dundee facility to cover all your delegated responsibilities.

You will work with and be supported by a wider support team in Agricarbon for all logistical requirements to ensure successful sampling operations. You will be required to work anywhere in the UK or Europe, for periods of up to 1 month at a time, during which Agricarbon will cover all expenses and provide an additional per diem allowance.

Responsibilities

1. Daily operation of soil sampling platform (ATV mounted, petrol/hydraulic-powered soil sampler).
2. Collection of physical soil samples from pre-planned locations in line with mobile app/GPS.
3. Capture of all soil sample data via mobile app.
4. Navigation from farm to farm, sometimes covering large distances.
5. Navigation of farm and fields safely and respectfully.
6. Liaison with farmers to plan and confirm sampling visits, access to sites, and relevant matters.
7. Transportation of soil sampling equipment and consumables to site.
8. On-field troubleshooting.
9. Collating soil cores in pallet crates.
10. Daily/weekly maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning of soil extraction equipment.
11. Communication with Team Lead/Operations Manager with essential information and feedback.

Skills and Experience

You must have:

• Necessary practical skills to operate equipment independently.
• A UK Cat C1/C1E driving license.
• CPC and tachograph card (if you do not have these, Agricarbon can advise how to obtain them).
• Understanding of H&S and evidence of being able to adhere to safety protocols.
• Experience in basic vehicle/equipment maintenance.
• A good level of physical fitness and resilience for working outdoors.

Nice if you have:

• First Aid trained.
• Experience operating hydraulic machinery.
• Previous soil sampling experience.
• Vehicle mechanic skills.
• Experience towing trailers with heavy loads.
• ATV off-road driving experience and familiarity with the UK countryside code or working in a farming environment.
• IT and data entry skills on mobile phones and laptops.