PCA Trainee
- Full-time
Company Description
With approximately 100,000 planted acres in California's San Joaquin Valley, Wonderful Orchards is the world's largest grower of almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. Wonderful Orchards is a part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $5 billion global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world through its iconic consumer brands which include Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos, POM Wonderful, FIJI Water, Teleflora, and JUSTIN Wine.
Job Description
The primary duties are to scout the orchards and provide information from the field to the pest control advisor(s) (PCAs) and ranch team. The trainee plays an important role in field scouting services offered to help make timely informed crop decisions. This position is meant to gain PCA skills, capabilities and acquire the appropriate PCA licensing. The expectation for this position is to become a PCA within roughly one year.
- Monitor and analyze orchards for insects, weeds, nutrition deficiencies, and disease identification.
- Assist in forming written recommendations for crop protection and nutrient programs.
- Work with PCA(s) and field management to coordinate pesticide applications.
- Inform PCA(s) and field management teams of any problems or irregularities in the fields being monitored.
- Assist on research projects as requested.
- Oversee crews, including spray crews, when directed by the PCA(s) or crop managers.
- Understanding calibration of all spray and Irrigation equipment
- Gain familiarity with the life stages of crops and the entire farming operation.
- Harvest: harvesting crops, managing crews, and data collection.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Any related combination of training and experience in agriculture
- BA or AA related degree preferred, but not required.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Consistent attendance and reliability
- Satisfactory verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to prioritize tasks and multitask.
- Active problem-solver and results-oriented
- Exhibit safety conscious behavior for self and others
- Consistent, accurate quality and quantity of completed work.
- Strong grasp on how to observe for typical damage symptoms that are caused by pests and pesticides.
- Satisfactory knowledge of insect, mite, diseases, and weed identification.
- Satisfactory knowledge of agricultural chemicals
- Satisfactory knowledge of crop requirements and production practices
- Ability to organize, write and file field data.
- Basic computer/technology skills
- Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred, but not required.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
- Ability to test and obtain PCA license(s) within roughly 12 months of date of hire.
- Valid California Driver's License and have a satisfactory driving record.
Pay Range: $20.00- $21.00 and may include a discretionary bonus. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.
Additional Information
Why chose Wonderful?
Wonderful Nurseries and Wonderful Orchards are part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $5 billion company, which also has other No. 1 brands such as Wonderful® Pistachios, FIJI® Water, Wonderful® Halos®, JUSTIN® Wine, and Teleflora®. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit www.wonderful.com/csr.
- We nourish, naturally - We believe that what you put into your body matters. The most nutritious -- and best-tasting -- foods are those from nature.
- We play to win - Our employees set ambitious goals and meet challenges with unified purpose and unmatched energy.
- We act differently - With courage and fearlessness, we are relentless in our quest to inspire healthier. food and beverage choices. As a privately held organization, we have the freedom and the power to make quick and effective decisions.
Wonderful Orchards and The Wonderful Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and with opportunities for advancement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.
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