Postharvest Technical Advisor - Field & Trials

United Phosphorus Limited (UPL); Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DECCO Postharvest in Visalia, California, seeks a Technical Advisor to provide technical advice to growers, packers and shippers in the citrus/stone/vegetable value chain. You will coordinate field trials, recommend treatments and help ensure correct application protocols across postharvest handling.

Reporting to the Service department, you will work with Commercial and R&D teams to support initiatives that maximize fruit and vegetable quality, train colleagues and customers, and lead continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Pathology, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant working experience related to producing, processing, handling, and/or treatment of fruit and vegetables.
• Experience conducting research and trials on agricultural commodities.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have or are able to obtain Pest Control Advisor’s license from California DPR within 12 months of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Advisor: Responsible for advising stakeholders on the proper use of Decco products focused on protecting fruit and vegetable quality during the postharvest process.
• Technical Expert: Achieve expert status on the known pathogens of fruit and vegetables along with the optimum control methods and products.
• Biological Testing: Prepare and properly utilize fungicide amended PDA plates to monitor pathogen activity and measure pesticide resistance levels.
• Collaboration: Professional interactions with colleagues and customers, communicate clearly, active listening, incorporating inputs from others, personal responsibility, and respect for diverse and alternative thoughts and ideas.
• Innovation: Focus on continuous improvement of products, applications, and handling practices.
• Training/Teaching/Presenting: Sharing knowledge of treatment and handling practices with colleagues, customers, and general audiences.
• Trials/Tests: Coordinate with R&D colleagues and commercial teams to conduct lab testing and field trials with various products on numerous commodities.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Field research

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Pathology, Agronomy, or related field

MS, MBA, or PhD in Agriculture or Crop Science

Job description

DECCO Postharvest in Visalia, California, seeks a Technical Advisor to provide technical advice to growers, packers and shippers in the citrus/stone/vegetable value chain. You will coordinate field trials, recommend treatments and help ensure correct application protocols across postharvest handling.

Reporting to the Service department, you will work with Commercial and R&D teams to support initiatives that maximize fruit and vegetable quality, train colleagues and customers, and lead continuous