Job Description

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is currently looking for an Agricultural Scientist to support our cranberry grower-owners in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.  The successful candidate will work out of Ocean Spray’s Babcock facility in Babcock, WI and be part of a team of Ocean Spray Agricultural Scientists that serves our growers industry-wide.  The WI Agricultural Scientist will develop and implement research and outreach programs to support all phases of agricultural production for Ocean Spray grower-owners in the Wisconsin region (WI, MI and MN), provide support to programs/initiatives in the areas of crop supply planning and pesticide-related risk management, advise grower harvest timing and help coordinate fruit deliveries to OSC’s receiving facilities, and cooperate with university/government scientists, grower organizations, and chemical industry professionals to address issues important to the cranberry industry.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIST:  

• Manage the OSC WI IPM (integrated Pest Management) Program which includes the hiring, training, and supervision of seasonal IPM scouts and the formulation of management recommendations based on the IPM data
• Provide on-farm technical support to grower-owners
• Implement outreach programs for grower education and to facilitate research technology transfer
• Conduct applied research to address key production, pest management, fruit quality, and environmental needs. Work collaboratively with external (e.g. university) scientists as appropriate. Manage seasonal technicians if needed
• Execute field sampling programs to support crop estimation, field inspections (supports contract management) and pesticide residue analysis
• Be an integral member of our team of OSC Agricultural Scientists and work collaboratively with the OSC Agricultural Operations (fruit receiving) network to ensure timely delivery of high quality fruit
• Represent the Cooperative as an information resource on matters relating to the overall business
• Be familiar with the Cooperative’s rules and recommendations for grower–owner practices in relation to producing and delivering the crop
• Review and approve Pesticide Use Reports for individual farms
• Attend Grower Industry meetings, workshops, and gatherings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, pest management, crop management, soil science or related discipline
• 3 or more years of experience in one or more of the areas stated above
• Must be self-directed and independently motivated
• Driving is required (company vehicle provided) so candidates must have a valid driver’s license in good standing

Additional Information

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:

Compensation and benefits are high on everyone's priority list, so it’s high on our list too. That’s why Ocean Spray provides competitive salaries and a wide variety of benefits - including programs that protect your health and welfare, help you prepare for retirement and truly enable you to balance your work and family life.

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, as well as individuals with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.