We are currently looking to employ a temporary assistant (4-month period between mid-July and mid-Sep) to support the UK field trials team with combining harvest operations for this summer. Role would be based out of our headquarters in Pakenham (Suffolk, UK):
Contract: 4-month temporary contract (full time) between mid-July and mid-September 2023.
Working Hours: 40 hours / week (Flexible average). Possibility of paid overtime hours as required by business need. Schedule is determined based on business needs which may include weekends, evenings and/or holidays. Time in-lieu offered (or paid overtime if not possible/feasible).
Temporary Contract Period: Mid-July until Mid-Sep.
Location: Role will be based at the UK headquarters in Pakenham (Suffolk) but regular travel to off-site trial locations (typically within 2 hours) will be required to support with plot combining operations. Applicant must therefore possess a full driving license. Company vehicle (situated at the UK Headquarters) provided for field work purposes.
Key Position Summary:
• To work alongside and assist the Crop & Maintenance Operator and UK Field Trials team to help deliver the 2023 season’s plot combine harvesting (yield measurements) and sampling as well as grain/seed sample processing in the lab.
• As required provide practical support to the Crop & Site Maintenance Operator (and UK field trials team) with crop/trial/machinery maintenance at the field facility at Pakenham (and off-site as required).
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
• Support the Crop & Site Maintenance Operator (and whole UK Field Team) with all field trial plot combining and sampling operations at harvest (including logistics of combine transport).
• Responsible for grain sample processing in the lab (Thousand Grain Weight and preparing samples to send to external lab for quality analysis).
• Work alongside the Field Biologists to provide practical and crop maintenance assistance on-site at the field facility (including irrigation, weeding of trials etc) and at off-site locations, as required.
• Support Crop & Site Maintenance Operator with any necessary machinery maintenance or repairs (on-site and off-site).
• Carry out delegated tasks methodically and accurately to the levels required to ensure GEP trial compliance.
• Undertake all relevant “on the job training” of SynTech’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standard safety methodologies for the tasks delegated before commencing the work.
• Execute all delegated tasks safely, accurately and efficiently.
Qualifications/Education/Experience/Soft Skills requirements:
• Ideally 1-2 years relevant practical field trial, farm or agricultural mechanical experience.
• Understanding of core scientific principles. Ideally A-level qualification in scientific subject (or A-C GCSE in Science)
• Good written and verbal English.
• Good problem solving, teamwork, communication and prioritizing skills (efficient working).
• Hard working, proactive and “Can do” attitude.
• Role will require practical physical/manual tasks and during busy harvest periods long hours (as required). Also, at times lone working.
• Role will require working outside (plus in combine cab) in the field under all weather conditions (although extremes of temperature will be avoided and PPE/clothing provided).
Pay: £10.45 per hour. Any overtime paid at the same rate.
Benefits:
• Holiday: Pro-rata based on 25 days paid holiday per annum (plus UK bank holidays) for a full-time employee. Likely to be 8 days paid holiday (plus bank holidays) for the contract period.
• Pension: Auto-enrolment pension paid through the payroll. Employer and employee contributions are paid by the company in accordance with legislation in force. This commences after an initial 3 month waiting period
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If you are interested in the role, please send your CV (or any request for further information) to: ben.pratt@syntechreseatch.com