Beekeeper (Michigan)

Beeflow; Grand Haven (MI); On-site; USD 27,552 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly rate $25

Growth in beekeeping knowledge

Job summary

Beeflow is seeking a Beekeeper to perform hands-on hive audits and to support our pollination program on farms across the region. The role ensures quality hives are delivered and our technologies are properly applied to improve pollination success.

You will work outdoors, lift up to 50lbs, and travel to nearby ranches for audits and feedings. Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred; a valid driver's license is required. Start date mid April.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of beekeeping experience and familiarity with hive management.
• Ability to travel to audit hives and administer feedings independently.
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and work outdoors with protective equipment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out hive audits to determine hive quality.
• Monitor and report quality status through the pollination season.
• Feed hives with Beeflow’s technologies with care and precision.
• Keep hives productive and healthy to support pollination needs.
• Inspect for mites or pests and diseases.
• Operate equipment as needed and move hives between ranches.
• Work shifts up to 16 hours and occasional night shifts.

Skills

Beekeeping experience

Bilingual English/Spanish

Valid driver's license

Job description

About Beeflow

Beeflow is a biotech startup company that leverages scientific knowledge and technology to improve the impact of ecosystem services in agriculture. Beeflow creates and manages pollination programs for farmers with the goal of consistently increasing crop yields. The company combines scientific knowledge of crop pollination, bee biology & behavior and chemical ecology with proprietary technologies including molecules that help train bees to pollinate specific crops and a plant-based bee diet that enhances bees’ immune system. This novel approach to pollination management allows growers to produce more with less.

Based in California and with operations across the US West Coast, Mexico, Peru and Argentina, Beeflow closed an $8.3M Series A in May 2021 with Ospraie Ag Sciences, Future Ventures, Vectr Ventures, Jeff Wilke (former CEO of Worldwide Consumer at Amazon), SOSV and others. Beeflow’s team of experts includes biologists, ecologists, entomologists, agronomists, and entrepreneurs.

For more information about Beeflow, please visit www.beeflow.com.

About this role

The Beeflow Beekeeper is responsible for hands‑on activities related to executing the Pollination Program. The position supports the delivery of quality hives to farms and the administration of Beeflow’s technologies for enhanced pollination.

Position is on an “on‑call” basis, with the primary responsibility of auditing hives, and feeding them with our technologies. Hives need to be audited before and after the blueberry season.

Start Date: Mid April

Responsibilities

• Carry out hive audits to determine the quality of hives
• Monitor and report quality status through the pollination season
• Feed hives with Beeflow’s technologies with care and precision
• Keep hives productive and healthy to help with pollination needs.
• Inspect for mites or any other pest/disease.
• Conduct hive movement to ranches within district(s).
• Repair any damaged hives and assemble hives.
• Operate heavy machinery (forklifts, flatbeds, trailers, etc...).
• Ability to work shifts ranging from 6 to 16 hours during the day or occasionally during the night.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Fluency in English and Spanish is highly preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of the farming industry and issues, ideally within the local region.
• Not allergic to bee stings.
• Minimum one year of beekeeping experience is required.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Based in the Eugene, Corvallis, Salem, Newberg/Wilsonville, or Hillsboro area (Oregon), or willing to relocate for the duration of the project.
• Ability to travel to other nearby cities/regions in order to take audits of hives and administer feedings independently if required.
• Able to lift up to 50lbs.

Work Environment

• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to work with bees and wear appropriate protective equipment
• Ability to work in outdoor environments in varying weather conditions
• Must be comfortable working with bees and getting stung

Benefits

Compensation Target: 25 / hourly

Beeflow reserves the ability to adjust the compensation range based on the final candidate’s experience, skillset, and geography.

• Opportunity to join an innovative and growing Ag Tech Start up whose mission is to contribute to the creation of a food system in harmony with nature.
• Work alongside a team of talented and passionate professionals, having the opportunity to make your first steps in beekeeping and learning more about bee biology.
• Competitive salary