Field Technician — True Potato Seed Production

Job overview

The Field Technician role is onsite in Watsonville, CA, supporting seed production and research and development. Compensation is $27 per hour. Ohalo develops plant breeding systems and varieties intended to help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources and improve crop yield, resilience, and genetic diversity. The technician supports true potato seed production through controlled pollination, berry development, seed extraction, and field and greenhouse work. Accurate crossing records, seed handling, and crop monitoring help preserve parent-line identity and support production and research outcomes.

What you'll do

• Plant seed production at appropriate sites
• maintain production records
• follow pollen collection and seed production procedures
• collect and store pollen
• hand-pollinate flowers according to crossing designs
• label pollinated flowers and track crosses
• monitor flowering, berry development, and pollination success
• harvest and process berries
• extract, dry, clean, and package seed
• support viability and germination testing
• assist with planting, crop maintenance, inspections, pest and disease monitoring, isolation, irrigation, and staking
• operate small equipment
• maintain traceability records
• help coordinate seasonal labor
• follow safety and PPE protocols.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

field technician

true potato seed production

watsonville ca

ohalo

full-time

seed production

hand-pollination

plant breeding

greenhouse

field work

$27 per hour

travel 25%

early morning work

agriculture

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Why this role

Requires three or more years of relevant agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, seed production, or fieldwork experience; high school diploma or equivalent; valid driver’s license; and ability to travel 25% to production sites, sometimes for a week or more. Early morning work may be needed during flowering and pollination windows.

About the employer

Ohalo is hiring for this role. Industry: Potato Farming. Sector: 11.