Agronomy Intern (Athol)

Idaho Forest Group; Athol (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho Forest Group is offering an on-site Agronomy Intern position to support BRINCK grow trials. The internship is full-time during the summer for an upper-division student in agronomy, plant science, soil science, horticulture, or related fields, with practical exposure to R&D staff, engineers, and operations personnel in Athol, Idaho.

Interns will monitor greenhouses, record measurements, and present results to managers.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an accredited bachelor's program in agronomy, plant science, soil science, horticulture or closely related field.
• Junior or senior standing.
• Able to work full-time (~40 hours/week) for the summer.
• Must reside within commuting distance of Athol, Idaho or report on-site.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Detail-oriented with good measurement and record-keeping skills.
• Willing to perform hands-on greenhouse and outdoor work and maintain cleanliness.
• Able to communicate clearly with R&D staff, engineers, and operations personnel.
• Able to pass drug/alcohol tests and pre-employment checks.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable DMV history.

Responsibilities

• Execute grow trial test plans with proper labeling, randomization, and scheduling.
• Prepare growing media, containers, seeds or plant material, fertilizers, and amendments.
• Plant, transplant, irrigate, and fertilize trials following protocol.
• Take measurements during and after grows and record data in logbooks/spreadsheets.
• Collect samples for in-house or external lab testing.
• Monitor greenhouse conditions and report issues promptly.
• Organize and summarize trial data; present results to managers with charts.
• Plan and complete one or more projects related to grow trials or crop production.
• Assist with maintenance and improvements to greenhouse infrastructure.

Skills

Agronomy knowledge

Data recording

Attention to detail

Communication

MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint

Full-time summer availability

Greenhouse work readiness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy/Plant Science/Soil Science/Horticulture or related

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Data logging tools (optional)

Job description

The Agronomy Intern supports BRINCK grow trials by carrying out test plans, preparing materials for grows, taking measurements during and after each grow, and documenting and presenting results to managers. The intern will also help monitor and maintain greenhouses and other grow operations in Athol, Idaho. This on-site, full-time summer internship is intended for an upper-division student in agronomy, plant science, soil science, horticulture, or a related discipline. Each intern is also given one or more modest projects matched to their skills and interests, and will gain practical experience working alongside R&D staff, engineers, and operations personnel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Execute grow trial test plans as written, including treatment layout, randomization, labeling, and scheduling.
• Prepare materials for grows, including growing media, containers, seed or plant material, fertilizers, and amendments.
• Plant, transplant, irrigate, and fertilize trials according to protocol.
• Take measurements during and after grows, such as germination and emergence, plant height, fresh and dry biomass, root development, plant health ratings, and growing media pH and electrical conductivity (EC).
• Collect plant, growing media, and water samples for in-house testing or outside laboratories.
• Accurately record measurements, observations, photographs, and environmental conditions in data sheets, logbooks, and spreadsheets.
• Monitor greenhouses and other grow operations, including temperature, humidity, irrigation, lighting, and pest or disease problems, and report issues promptly.
• Organize and summarize trial data, perform basic analysis, and present results to managers through short written summaries, charts, and presentations.
• Plan and complete one or more assigned projects related to grow trials or crop production, suited to the intern's skills and interests, and present the results at the end of the internship.
• Help with maintenance and improvements to greenhouses, irrigation systems, benches, and other grow infrastructure.
• Keep greenhouses, work areas, and equipment clean, organized, and sanitary, including cleanup between trials.
• Follow all company safety procedures and site-specific requirements, including the safe handling, storage, and labeling of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Perform other duties as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's degree program in Agronomy, Plant Science, Crop Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, or a closely related discipline.
• Junior or senior standing.
• Completion of relevant coursework such as plant science, soil science, crop production, or horticulture, including laboratory or field work that involved taking and recording measurements and reporting findings.
• Ability to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) for the duration of the summer internship.
• Must reside within reasonable commuting distance of Athol, Idaho (Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls, Idaho, or Spokane, Washington) during the internship and be able to report to the assigned work location on-site.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Careful, detail-oriented approach to measurement and record-keeping.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and organized, and willing to do hands-on greenhouse and outdoor work, including maintenance and cleanup.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with R&D staff, engineers, operations personnel, and technicians.
• Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test, post-offer pre-employment physical, and background check.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable motor vehicle history for business travel in a company vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience working in a greenhouse, nursery, farm, research plot, or other crop production setting.
• Experience conducting or assisting with replicated greenhouse or field trials.
• Coursework in statistics or experimental design.
• Coursework or experience in plant nutrition, soil fertility, irrigation, or integrated pest management.
• Familiarity with tools such as pH and EC meters, moisture sensors, data loggers, and laboratory balances.
• Interest in sustainable agriculture, controlled-environment agriculture, or renewable products.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit and/or stand for portions of the workday, reach with hands and arms, stoop, squat, bend at the waist, kneel, walk varying distances, and climb stairs.

• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs - occasional
• Bend, twist, stoop, or kneel - frequent
• Repetitive use of hands - frequent for planting, sampling, measuring, and computer work
• Stand/walk - frequent
• Vision - near and far correctable; depth perception
• Hearing - preferred for awareness of machinery, mobile equipment, and emergencies

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work may be performed in greenhouses, outdoor grow areas, laboratory, office, and industrial environments. The employee must be able to tolerate heat and humidity in greenhouses, varying weather, dust, soil and growing media, fertilizers and other agricultural products, loud noise, airborne particles such as sawdust, moving equipment, and other industrial conditions. Required personal protective equipment and safety procedures must be followed at all times.

Idaho Forest Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, family medical history, or any other status protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.