Mushroom Production Technician (ITF Operator)

Monterey Mushrooms, LLC; California; On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Full time

Job summary

Monterey Mushrooms in California is looking for an ITF Operator to support daily operations within the mushroom growing pilot plant facility. This entry-level position involves maintaining the growing environment and assisting with mushroom production activities.

Key responsibilities include supporting daily operations, assisting with spawning activities, and maintaining cleanliness within the facility. A high school diploma and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds are required. This full-time role offers an hourly wage of $17.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Valid driver's license is necessary.
• Previous experience in agricultural or production environments is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily operations in the mushroom growing facility.
• Harvest mushrooms according to production schedules.
• Perform daily cleanup and sanitation of the facility.

Skills

Basic math skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds

Ability to perform physical tasks

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Location: Amycel Spawn Mate – R&D 360, Royal Oaks, CA

Schedule: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, Half Day Saturdays

Position Type: Full-Time, Salary Non-Exempt

Compensation: $17.00 per hour

Our simple vision is to be the best integrated mushroom company in North America by efficiently delivering superior value to our customers and consumers. We do that by creating long-term value for customers, teammates, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. We work intentionally toward that vision with a collaborative team foundation. Our principles of trust, respect, integrity, shared vision, empowerment, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement spur our actions every day as we work to achieve our purpose.

At the heart of our culture is a group of individuals who dedicate themselves to their work and each other day in and day out. That’s why we invest in enhancing the lives in the communities around Monterey Mushrooms locations. In our hearts, we’re humble farmers. We’re proud of our continent-wide reach from Monterey Mushrooms locations across North America — from coast to coast and Mexico — focused on our company purpose of Enhancing People’s Lives. For more information, please visit our website. www.montereymushrooms.com .

Amycel Spawn Mate is the industry leader in mushroom genetics and spawn development that supports the gourmet, medicinal, and exotic mushroom markets around the world. Amycel Spawn Mate has been serving the Mushroom Industry in North and South America since the late 1970s, and internationally since the early 1990s. Amycel Spawn Mate is the company you can depend on to help you grow the best. For increased productivity, the consistency you need and the quality you demand, Amycel Spawn Mate delivers. We provide mushroom spawns, supplements, and services that mushroom growers need worldwide. We are the world leader in mushroom strain development. Over 90% of North American growers use our two proprietary brown mushroom spawn. Our Research and Development Group creates the best strains for all growing environments, and it is hard at work developing a new hybrid strain of white mushroom spawn. Visit us at www.Amycel.com .

Monterey Nutraceuticals is the current medicinal mushroom industry split between low-quality producers and US cultivators with limited capabilities and product offerings. The industry is void of a low-cost, US-based producer that can offer a full medicinal mushroom product line (pure fruiting body and mycelium-based products) and that can serve as an unbiased, scientifically sound market educator and leader. As the industry leader for over 50 years, Monterey Mushrooms has the production capacity, expertise, distribution network, R & D capability, and trusted brand to fill the market void and become the dominant global supplier of US-grown medicinal mushrooms. We know mushrooms! From seed (spawn) to powder, we have control over every aspect of our business as we’re a vertically integrated mushroom

producer in North America. The spawn we use to grow our medicinal mushrooms is produced by our affiliate, Amycel SpawnMate. Then, we grow, dry, and package everything at our facilities in California to ensure our mushroom powders reach their full potential. If that is not enough, we third-party test for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, polysaccharides, and various compounds. In house, we test every product for potency, quality, and purity, and we have that verified by a third party periodically. Monterey Nutraceuticals is a portfolio company of Paine Schwarz Partners, who invested in the business in May 2022. For more information, visit us www.montereymushrooms.com/nutraceuticals .

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Why This Role Matters:

The ITF Operator is an entry-level position responsible for supporting daily operations within Amycel Spawn Mate's mushroom growing pilot plant facility. This role plays an important part in maintaining growing environments, supporting mushroom production activities, and assisting with pilot plant operations. The successful candidate will help ensure that growing rooms, equipment, and work areas are maintained according to company standards while supporting harvesting, spawning, sanitation, and general production activities.

What You’ll Own:

Pilot Plant Operations

• Support daily operations within the mushroom growing pilot plant facility.
• Assist with spawning activities and mushroom production processes.
• Perform tray filling and spawning activities using the tray line conveying system.
• Assist laboratory personnel with assigned tasks and projects.
• Harvest mushrooms as needed according to production schedules.
• Transport harvested mushrooms to designated weighing and processing areas.
• Support casing soil preparation and application activities.
• Assist with other production-related duties as assigned.
• Perform daily cleanup and sanitation of the pilot plant facility.
• Maintain growing rooms, workstations, and common areas according to company standards.
• Complete general housekeeping duties to support a clean and safe work environment.
• Follow all safety and sanitation procedures.

Team Support

• Collaborate with laboratory and production personnel.
• Support special projects and operational needs as assigned.
• Contribute to maintaining an efficient and productive work environment.

What’s The Right Fit:

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to work early mornings and weekends.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including bending, twisting, stooping, stretching, reaching, pushing, and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production and growing environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus, but not required.
• Previous agricultural, production, manufacturing, greenhouse, or mushroom-growing experience is beneficial.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift and carry trays weighing up to 50 pounds for distances up to 100 feet.
• Perform repetitive twisting, turning, bending, reaching, and lifting motions throughout the workday.
• Load and unload trays onto growing room shelving systems.
• Mix compost and casing materials manually as part of production activities.
• Stand, walk, sit, stoop, stretch, and reach for extended periods while harvesting mushrooms.
• Push carts weighing up to 90 pounds between growing and weighing areas.