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Trait Integration and Population Development… at Vylor · Des Moines
Job Description
Trait Integration and Population Development Technician
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture
At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.
Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.
Vylor has an exciting opportunity for a Trait Integration and Population Development Technician to join our organization with our Soybean Growth Chambers Team in Johnston, IA. The Trait Integration and Population Development Technician will be a key member of an aggressive soybean and wheat trait integration team within a growth chamber facility to develop improved soybean and wheat varieties. In this role, you will be responsible for performing a variety of duties associated with plant management activities using a range of procedures and protocols. The ability to work rotational weekends and holidays during peak periods to care for our top genetics and plants in development is required.
Responsibilities - What You’ll Do:
- Assist with harvest and post-harvest activities for soybean and wheat experiments conducted in JH15 Growth Chambers.
- Perform harvesting, threshing, seed drying, packaging, and inventory management while accurately utilizing internal data management systems.
- Lead team members and coordinate daily activities to ensure tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
- Manage the disposal of plant materials in accordance with approved regulatory and company procedures.
- Identify, troubleshoot, and communicate unexpected results, equipment issues, or process deviations.
- Operate specialized equipment, including threshers, pot fillers, hoists, and powered industrial trucks (PIT).
- Train full-time and contingent employees in harvesting, threshing, plant disposal, post-harvest processing, and related operational activities.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with required documentation and logging processes for EPA and internal reporting requirements.
- Support cross-functional operations, including plant quality assessments, pest management activities, plant pollination, and other research support functions as needed.
- Follow all safety, quality, and compliance standards while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrate flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and adjusted schedules to support critical operational needs.
- Assume leadership role for assigned tasks
- Maintain facility cleanliness and safety standards
- Assist with protocol updates and enforcement of protocols and standards
- Maintain channels of communication between manager and other teams.
Qualifications- What You’ll Need:
- When you see a problem, you look for a way to fix it, you are solutions focused.
- You have your High School diploma/GED.
- You are comfortable indirectly leading, training, giving instruction and providing feedback while working alongside team members
- You value the safety of yourself and your co-workers and will eagerly participate in safe work practices, on-the-job safety, and work safety programs.
- You are willing and able to do hands on physical work that requires bending/reaching repetitively standing/sitting for extended periods of time and are able to lift up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
- You are comfortable and experienced in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc) and iOS devices.
- You have the ability to communicate clearly, display a positive attitude, work efficiently and effectively with others in a team environment.
- You are willing and able to work a daytime schedule including occasional holidays and participating in the rotational weekend schedule to meet business needs during peak season.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associates/Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Biology, or related field of study.
- Experience with plant propagation in a controlled environment setting.
***Please note there is no visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided for this role.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
- Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
- Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
- Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
- Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
- Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
- Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
- Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
- Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.