Seasonal Technician - Crew Leader 2026

RiceTec - Puerto Rico; Lajas (PR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

RiceTec, Inc. in Lajas, PR seeks a Level 1 farm/agribusiness technician to coordinate field activities, assist with planting and data collection, and maintain equipment and supplies. The candidate should have an associate degree in agriculture or 5 years of relevant experience as an alternative.

Responsibilities include field and greenhouse work, pesticide and fertilizer management, and collaboration with project managers. On-site duties require physical stamina and adherence to safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in agriculture or higher; in lieu of degree, high school diploma with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with tractors, combines, or other heavy equipment preferred.
• Valid Puerto Rico Agricultural Department Private Pesticides Applicator license required; must obtain within 3 months of employment.
• English reading/writing/speaking required; basic math; and basic computer skills (MS Office).
• No additional certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate work with seasonal employees to ensure high‑quality, safe and efficient operations.
• Assist in layout of fields for planting experimental rice plots, seed preparation, planting, data recording, and field management.
• Oversee field and greenhouse plants: planting, watering, fertilizing, pest monitoring.
• Carry out rice seed increases: planting, crossing, phenotyping, and harvesting.
• Operate and maintain equipment used in farm operations.
• Assist in experiments at other research sites and maintain inventory of chemicals and supplies.
• Support feasibility assessments for prospective projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Math ability

Reasoning ability

Computer skills

Pesticide license

Education

Associate degree in agriculture

High school diploma + 5 years experience

Job description

Job Category: Level 1

Requisition Number: SEASO001427

• Posted : September 9, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Lajas, PR 00667, USA

Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate work/instructions with temporary/seasonal employees, ensuring work of high quality and performed in a safe an efficient manner.
• Assisting: layout of fields for planting experimental rice plots, seed preparation, planting, data recording, field management, harvesting, cleaning and milling samples, and equipment maintenance.
• Oversee plants in the field and greenhouse by planting, watering, fertilizing, monitoring for pests; observe field and GH plants for traits such as height and flowering time.
• Field operations of rice seed increases, planting, making crosses, phenotyping, selecting and hand and/or mechanical harvesting.
• Calculate the appropriate pesticide and fertilizer amounts needed for application. Perform pesticide and fertilizer application.
• Operate and maintain equipment in conjunction with farm operations.
• Assist with experiments according to specific procedures, exercising independent judgment and discretion as appropriate.
• Assist in conducting experiments at other Research sites, laboratory areas, or groups.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of chemicals and/or supplies necessary for the completion of experiments at work location.
• Participate in decision making regarding feasibility of prospective projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate should have an associate degree (or higher degree) in agriculture or related field. In lieu of degree, a high school diploma with 5 years of work experience in agricultural field with similar responsibilities described above is acceptable. Experience with Tractors, Combines, or other heavy equipment is preferred.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist the project manager leading a crew to perform each essential duty successfully. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Language Ability:Ability to read, write, and speak English. Acceptable oral and written communication skills.
• Math Ability:Ability to comprehend and apply principles of basic math.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Certificates and Licenses: A Puerto Rico Agricultural Department “Private Pesticides Applicator” license is a requirement for this job. Must be able to obtain a pesticide license within 3 months of employments.
• No certifications needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus.

Expected to perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and physical requirements of this role with or without reasonable accommodation within the described work environment.

• Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking level and unleveled surfaces for periodic periods throughout the day including flooded rice fields. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. Must be able to lift 50-pound bag of seed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work and training locations may include office and warehouse environments. May also include dry, muddy, or flooded fields, and other outside environmental situations including extreme heat/cold, rainy, or sunny conditions.

RiceTec, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.