Field Technician – True Potato Seed Production
OhaloWatsonville, California, United States · Posted 1 month agoDescription
Location: Watsonville, CA
Department: Seed Production / R&D
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Role
We are seeking a detail-oriented Field Technician to support True Potato Seed (TPS) production, with a strong focus on hand-pollination, emasculation, berry development, and seed extraction. Unlike vegetative (tuber) seed potato systems, TPS production relies on controlled sexual crosses between parent clones to produce botanical seed from berries. This role requires precision, patience, and comfort with delicate flower-level work in both field and greenhouse/screenhouse settings.
Key Responsibilities
Pollination & Crossing (Primary Focus)
- Execute seed production planting in appropriate TPS production location across the US planting sites
- Collect detailed data and maintain production records fully updated and report information as it happens.
- Follow the pollen collection and seed production SOPs to ensure high quality outcomes.
- Collect pollen from designated male parent plants at the correct flowering stage, ensuring viability (fresh collection, proper storage/temperature control)
- Perform hand-pollination by applying pollen to female flowers according to prescribed crossing designs
- Tag and label each pollinated flower/truss immediately with cross ID, parent line, and date to maintain traceability through berry set and harvest
- Monitor flowering synchrony between male and female parent plants and flag timing mismatches to breeders/supervisors
- Track pollination success rates, fruit (berry) set, and flower drop, recording data in field books or digital data collection tools
- Monitor berry development and maturity (color change, softening) to determine correct harvest timing
- Hand-harvest mature berries by cross/truss, keeping strict identity preservation and avoiding cross-contamination between crosses
- Assist with berry processing: crushing/macerating berries, fermenting pulp, and washing to extract true seed
- Dry, clean, and package extracted TPS seed lots according to protocol, ensuring accurate labeling for storage and germination testing
- Support seed viability and germination testing procedures as needed
General Field & Greenhouse Support
- Assist with planting, transplanting, and maintenance of parent clone plots (field, greenhouse, or screenhouse)
- Conduct regular field/greenhouse inspections to monitor plant health, flowering stage, and pest/disease pressure
- Rogue off-type or diseased plants to protect the genetic integrity of parent lines
- Support isolation requirements between crossing blocks to prevent unwanted pollen contamination
- Maintain irrigation, staking, and general crop upkeep for parent clone plots
- Operate small field/greenhouse equipment as needed (sprayers, irrigation systems, hand tools)
- Maintain meticulous, organized records in compliance with company and regulatory traceability standards
- Help coordinate seasonal labor during peak flowering, pollination, and berry harvest periods
- Follow all safety protocols, including proper PPE use when handling crop protection products, seed processing and field crop tasks.
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor degree held with agricultural /plant science / seed production background preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, seed production, or related fieldwork (internship experience considered)
- Strong attention to detail and steady hands for fine, flower-level work (emasculation, hand-pollination)
- Ability to follow precise, protocol-driven procedures and maintain accurate identity-preserved records
- Comfort working in greenhouse, screenhouse, and/or open field environments
- Ability to work flexible hours, as flower receptivity and pollen viability are time-sensitive (often early morning)
- Ability to stand, bend, and work at bench or plant height for extended periods
- Ability to lift up to 30–50 lbs
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
- Ability to travel 25% to different TPS production sites, some time up a week or more at times.
Preferred:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Botany, or related field
- Prior experience with potato production, TPS/hybrid seed crossing, or other hand-pollinated crop systems
- Familiarity with breeding nursery protocols, cross/pedigree tracking, or germplasm databases
- Experience with pollination, seed extraction/fermentation processes and seed cleaning equipment
- Experience with greenhouse pest/disease scouting and IPM practices
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform fine, repetitive hand movements (emasculation, pollen application, tagging) for extended periods
- Ability to work at bench height and plant height in greenhouse or screenhouse settings, as well as bending/kneeling in open field plots
- Comfortable working in warm, humid greenhouse conditions as well as variable outdoor weather
- Ability to walk plot/greenhouse rows repeatedly throughout the day
- Willingness to work early morning shifts during active flowering/pollination windows
Below is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications. This range is for the Watsonville, CA location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas.
Anticipated compensation: $24-$27/hr
About Ohalo:
Ohalo™ aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.
Notes: If you previously applied for a job at Ohalo Genetics, we encourage you to restate your interest in the position by submitting your application.
No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time.
This organization participates in E-Verify. Posters linked here.
No recruiters, please.
Similar jobs
Est. 115,000 USD
Job Title: Seed Production Research Lead Location: Watsonville CA Job Type: Full-Time The Seed Production Research Lead is responsible for the research programs that improve seed yield, genetic purity, quality, and produ…
Est. 56,160 USD
Position Title: Greenhouse Technician Location: Watsonville, CA Time Type: Full Time The Opportunity: Ohalo is seeking candidates with a passion for hands-on work growing plants to join our greenhouse team. Greenhouse Te…
Est. 200,000 USD
Position Title: Global Crop Product Manager Type: Full-timeLocation: South San Francisco, CA (On-site) — Remote location will be considered for select candidates who can travel regularly/consistently to our South San Fra…
Est. 56,280 USD
Position Title: Greenhouse Maintenance Technician Location: Watsonville, CA Time Type: Full Time The Opportunity: Ohalo is seeking a hands-on Greenhouse Maintenance Technician to keep our greenhouse site’s running safely…
Est. 102,500 USD
Position: Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Systems Engineer Location: Watsonville, CA Type: Full-time Position Summary The Senior Greenhouse Facilities & Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical design, ma…
Est. 170,000 USD
Position: Business Development Lead Location: South San Francisco, CA Type: Full-time The Opportunity: Ohalo™ is seeking a Business Development Lead to source, structure, and close the partnerships that bring our agricul…
Est. 185,000 USD
Position: Biotech Program Manager Location: South San Francisco Type: Full-time Ohalo is hiring a Biotech Program Manager (PM) to lead one or several discovery, development, or production programs. You will manage and ov…
Est. 165,000 USD
Position: Product Manager - AI-Native Business SystemsLocation: South San FranciscoTime Type: Full Time The Opportunity: Ohalo is moving beyond R&D into a phase of massive operational scale. As our breakthrough "Boos…
Est. 135,000 USD
Position: Mechatronics Engineer – Lab & Automation Systems Location: South San Francisco Type: Full-time Desired start date: ASAP The Opportunity: Ohalo™ is seeking a hands-on Mechanical / Mechatronics Engineer to su…
Est. 112,500 USD
Position: Executive Assistant to the President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) Location: South San Francisco Type: Full-time The Opportunity Ohalo™ is seeking a dedicated, highly organized Executive Assistant to the…
Est. 41,400 USD
The Role The Harvest Technician supports post-cultivation activities and operations of our cultivation department. This position will be responsible for preparing and processing harvests for flower sales and oil extracti…
Est. 41,600 USD
About Us Connected International, Inc. (Connected Cannabis Co.) is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company based in Sacramento and operating in California, Arizona, and Florida. With over 11 years experience, Co…
Est. 37,600 USD
About Us Connected International, Inc. (Connected Cannabis Co.) is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company based in Sacramento and operating in California, Arizona, and Florida. With over 11 years experience, Co…
Est. 74,400 USD
About Us Connected International, Inc. (Connected Cannabis Co.) is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company based in Sacramento and operating in California, Arizona, and Florida. With over 11 years experience, Co…
Est. 95,000 USD
About Pivot Bio: Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of microbiology, genomics, crop nutrition and agriculture, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in fertilizer technology. Our first commer…
Est. 47,200 USD
The Role You will lead a team of employees in their daily tasks of creating exceptional cannabis products for our patients and consumers to enjoy. This role will ensure the highest quality products and highest standards…
Est. 35,200 USD
Who We Are: At Copperstate Farms and Sol Flower, we’re creating a better kind of cannabis company. Where we know happy plants begin with happy people. We aspire to high standards, take pride in our work, and drive for be…
Est. 69,600 USD
About Us Connected International, Inc. (Connected Cannabis Co.) is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company based in Sacramento and operating in California, Arizona, and Florida. With over 11 years experience, Co…
Est. 94,160 USD
COMPANY DESCRIPTION Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agric…
Est. 19,340 USD
The Role Does everything you touch turn green? If so, then GTI is looking for you! As a Cultivation Technician you will provide the expert care and maintenance needed to grow healthy, strong cannabis plants, and be respo…
Est. 41,600 USD
PharmaCann, Inc. owns and operates best-in-class production facilities and retail dispensaries for cannabis-based products. We currently operate in the States of Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mar…
Est. 20,000 USD
The Role The Harvest Technician supports post-cultivation activities and operations of our cultivation department. This position will be responsible for preparing and processing harvests for flower sales and oil extracti…
Est. 45,000 USD
The Role As a Sr Production Technician, you will be responsible for producing cannabis products within our wide portfolio. In this role you will use a variety of tools, equipment, and small machinery to produce and/or pa…
Est. 62,480 USD
COMPANY DESCRIPTION Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agric…
Est. 43,680 USD
POSITION SUMMARY: The Quality Technician is responsible for performing daily verification activities to ensure that all raw ingredients, raw materials, packaging, and finished products comply with all applicable regulati…
Est. 55,000 USD
COMPANY OVERVIEW Cresco Labs is one of the largest public, vertically integrated, multistate operators in the cannabis industry. Our portfolio of in-house cultivated and manufactured brands features some of the highest q…
Est. 140,000 USD
About Pivot Bio: Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of microbiology, genomics, crop nutrition and agriculture, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in fertilizer technology. Our first commer…
Est. 45,000 USD
The Role The Operations Support Technician provides hands-on operational and facility support across multiple areas of the site. This role is designed to be flexible and task-driven, supporting production, compliance, in…
Est. 45,000 USD
The Role Does everything you touch turn green? If so, then GTI is looking for you! As a Cultivation Technician you will provide the expert care and maintenance needed to grow healthy, strong cannabis plants, and be respo…
Est. 87,760 USD
Our Mission Our mission is to restore cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that can occur throughout life. For more information, see our website at altosla…