Horticulturist-- GOEDC

Pay Rate: $22-23/hr on W2 (all inclusive)

Duration: 12+ Months Contract

Shift: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

We are looking for a responsible and highly motivated worker to join the Insect Facility Team. Here, you will help us grow what’s next. No matter what your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – solving the world’s food problems through innovation, technology, and putting people first. We have an exciting opportunity to join our company at our Johnston and Dallas Center, Iowa research facilities.

This position will primarily assist with insect‑based research using both plant and diet‑based systems, rearing of insect colonies, and growing/maintaining various crops in a growth chamber setting while maintaining a professional, clean, and safe work environment and meeting all compliance standards. We are looking for candidates who take initiative, love to learn, work hard, and have a stable work history.

• Working with a team to execute insect and plant-based experiments.
• Collection and curation of high-quality data under deadlines.
• Assisting with all aspects of insect colony tasks, such as daily maintenance, diet preparation, egg collection, weekly production setup, insect staging, sanitation, etc.
• Working with plants and insects in a greenhouse, growth chamber, or field setting.
• Ensuring that all material necessary for rearing insect colonies and execution of assays are prepared properly and on time.
• Conducting miscellaneous tasks such as cleaning, handling, packaging, and storing facility supplies/materials/equipment.

• High school diploma/GED required. Bachelor's degree in an entomology, agriculture, horticulture, plant physiology, or related field or three or more years of related experience or equivalent amounts of relevant education and experience is preferred.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and follow standard operating and safety/ergonomics protocols is essential.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, a high degree of self‑motivation, a positive attitude, and the ability to work well independently as well as a team member with minimal supervision.
• Basic computer skills preferred, including MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook), and ability to gain competency with internally‑developed research software.
• Must be able to stand and sit for long periods of time and lift up to 30 lbs. Must be able to tolerate hours of repetitive work in a warm, humid growth chamber setting.