Trialing Specialist Technician

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever‑growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities. We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in‑field performance.

Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.

This role will support the Trialing Manager in executing research‑level yield trials on time, with high precision and accuracy, in a safe and compliant manner, to generate the highest‑quality data that enables the identification of superior‑performing products in corn, soybean, and wheat during the growing season. The position is an annual, permanent full‑time role that begins February 1st and ends October 31st, with an optional pro‑ventive break period of approximately three months during the non‑busy months.

It is a Peak Time Employee position that allows you to take an extended single unpaid leave each year.

The position will support Syngenta's Highland, Illinois site. This trialing team supports yield trials in a territory that covers Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky, and the role may be supported remotely, with preferred support locations in the Highland‑Effingham area.

• Act as an integral member of a team responsible for planting, plot maintenance, spraying, note taking (phenotyping), and harvesting research‑level yield trial plots.
• Operate and maintain agricultural machinery and/or agricultural research equipment, such as precision planters, drones, automated phenotyping equipment, and research combines.
• Perform all tasks in a manner compliant with all safety‑ and stewardship‑related company policies and practices, and complete all required company training courses.
• Support tasks to achieve the Trialing Manager’s desired results (e.g., assisting the team with field layout, planting, phenotyping, and harvest).
• Communicate effectively and regularly with peers and supervisors regarding project status, work‑related activities, and the quality and timeliness of data collected.
• Plant, spray, maintain, and harvest research‑level corn, soybean, and wheat trials to meet data quality standards and operational deadlines.

• Associate's degree in an agriculture‑related discipline and/or relevant experience.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse; capable of lifting up to 50 pounds; able to work long hours during time‑critical periods of the growing season.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship support from Syngenta.

• Experience operating and maintaining agricultural machinery and/or agricultural research equipment.
• Ability to work with moderate supervision while traveling to off‑site locations to prepare, plant, and accurately collect and manage data from trials.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a federal medical card to operate commercial motor vehicles.
• Pesticide applicator’s license holder or ability to acquire one.
• Basic understanding of agriculture and agronomy practices.
• Basic understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• Experience operating, adjusting, maintaining, and performing minor repairs on various plot equipment such as a planter, tractor, cultivator, sprayer, and combine.

Salary for the role is between $24 and $28 per hour.

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work‑life balance; offers flexible work options.
• Full benefit package (Medical, Dental & Vision) starting your first day.
• 401(k) plan with company match, profit‑sharing, and retirement savings contribution.
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, maternity and paternity leave, education assistance, wellness programs, corporate discounts, and other benefits.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practice for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.