Assistant to Celery Breeder

Company Overview:
Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. is a subsidiary of DUDA, dedicated to managing the company's fresh produce operations. Established with a legacy of growing high-quality fruits and vegetables since 1926, Duda Farm Fresh Foods provides a diverse range of products under the Dandy brand, ensuring year-round availability.

Position Overview:
This role is integral to a comprehensive celery breeding initiative, providing essential support to the celery breeder. The successful candidate will engage in various tasks associated with open-pollinated (OP), hybrid, and sterile celery programs, including data management, trial assessments, and operational support.

Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in all phases of celery breeding, including evaluating trials, selecting and harvesting plants, and collecting and entering trial data.
- Support celery caging operations, including isolation test crosses and seed production, ensuring sterility and successful seed harvest.
- Contribute to data management within the breeding database, including patent data collection and analysis.
- Participate in disease and stress screening programs, gathering and entering relevant data.
- Aid in trial preparation, seed packaging, and coordination with growers and research teams.
- Evaluate seed crops for purity and adherence to variety standards, focusing on hybrids and male parents.
- Collaborate with the team to maintain and enhance seed quality and protocol adherence.
- Travel to various celery production sites across the United States for trial evaluations and to familiarize with growers and farming practices.

Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in plant breeding, biology, horticulture, agronomy, or a related field is required.
- A minimum of one year of experience in breeding, trialing, or related responsibilities is preferred.
- Familiarity with laboratory skills and basic scientific processes is advantageous.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and database management is preferred.
- Strong report writing skills and meticulous record-keeping abilities are essential.
- The role involves working in diverse environments, including office, warehouse, laboratory, and field settings.
- Willingness to travel and work outside of standard business hours as needed.

Physical and Work Environment:
- The position requires physical stamina, including standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Employees may be exposed to varying weather conditions and must be prepared for a dynamic work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employment:
Duda Farm Fresh Foods is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, fostering a discrimination and harassment-free workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K, and more.

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