Careers

Supervised by:    R&D Testing Lead

Status:                 Full-Time Position

Company Background

Founded in 2013, CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new, climate-smart winter oilseed cash crop. Using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene-editing tools to improve the quality and composition of fiber and oil, CCI has converted field pennycress into CoverCress™. Farmers can grow a third cash crop in two seasons by incorporating CoverCress™ into their system as a winter crop between the standard corn/soybean rotation. Through a closed-loop commercial system, harvested CoverCress™ grain generates farm revenue from two markets – when used in its whole grain form, as a low-inclusion, high-quality protein feed ingredient for broiler chickens and when crushed as an ultra-low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel feedstock and a high-quality protein meal for animal feed. In addition to the new farm revenue as a third cash crop in two seasons, CoverCress™ provides the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. Learn more at www.CoverCress.com.

CCI’s headquarters are located in the 39 North AgTech Innovation District in St. Louis, Missouri.  39 North is a 600-acre innovation district anchored by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, the Helix Incubator, Bayer Crop Science, and the Yield Lab.  CCI utilizes first-class lab space at the BRDG building and runs greenhouse operations at the prestigious Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. 

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the field research associate position to join our fast-paced breeding and testing program. This position will be responsible for all facets of plot management, detailed note-taking, and seed handling. Working within a collaborative team, you will support all field activities, as well as the greenhouse and lab teams during certain periods.

Working closely with the product development and commercial teams, this is an incredible opportunity to gain a broad experience in an innovative and fast-paced environment, a chance to work with a highly motivated and professional team, and to be part of introducing a new crop into US agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support to the breeding and agronomy teams with planting, harvesting, and maintaining yield testing locations and greenhouse trials. This will include travel to research locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana

• Work collaboratively with product development and commercial teams to achieve the continuous improvement of CoverCress variety and closed loop cropping system performance. This may involve data collection, sample collection and processing, implementing experiments, data management, and coordinating activities across functional teams

• Implement research protocols for breeding and agronomic testing

• Supervise and hire seasonal labor to support research and field-testing efforts 

• Conduct all activities with health and safety as a main priority

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the field of agronomy, plant science, horticulture, agricultural economics, or a related field

• Ability to learn and operate field research equipment, such as plot combines and plot planters

• Ability to obtain a class A commercial driver’s license

• Experience with Microsoft Office tools 

• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs

Desired

• Ability to obtain and maintain a commercial pesticide applicators license and independently apply pesticide treatments to research fields

• Experience with data collection and data management

• Ability to obtain drone pilot license (Part 107 certification)

• Strong time management and organization skills 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills 

• Ability to work in a greenhouse environment

Benefits

• Dental insurance

• Flexible schedule

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Company Background

Founded in 2013, CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new, climate-smart winter oilseed cash crop. Using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene-editing tools to improve the quality and composition of fiber and oil, CCI has converted field pennycress into CoverCress™. Farmers can grow a third cash crop in two seasons by incorporating CoverCress™ into their system as a winter crop between the standard corn/soybean rotation. Through a closed-loop commercial system, harvested CoverCress™ grain generates farm revenue from two markets – when used in its whole grain form, as a low-inclusion, high-quality protein feed ingredient for broiler chickens and when crushed as an ultra-low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel feedstock and a high-quality protein meal for animal feed. In addition to the new farm revenue as a third cash crop in two seasons, CoverCress™ provides the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. Learn more at www.CoverCress.com.

CCI’s headquarters are located in the 39 North AgTech Innovation District in St. Louis, Missouri. 39 North is a 600-acre innovation district anchored by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, the Helix Incubator, Bayer Crop Science, and the Yield Lab. CCI utilizes first-class lab space at the BRDG building and runs greenhouse operations at the prestigious Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. 

Job Description

The Company is seeking to hire Seasonal Operations employees to support the agronomy and breeding team. The successful candidate will have the ability to pay close attention to detail and follow instructions in a fast-paced environment.  The position requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to lift 40+ pounds. The candidate must have the ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments. This position can be used for college internship credits if the candidate so desires. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Agronomy and Breeding team with harvest activities in the field.

• Process harvested grain with cleaning, moisture records, etc.

• Assist the breeding team with nursery activities, including harvesting.

• Travel to fields (sometimes for 2+ hours), with the potential of overnight stays.

• Adhere to company safety and health policies.

• Maintain a clean work environment, including tidying your workstation at the end of every day including work vehicles.

• Work closely with other team members.  

• Ability to work at least 15 hours per week.

Education

A high-school diploma is preferred, however not required.

Compensation

This position starts at $12.50 per hour, with the opportunity for overtime.

Contact

Rebecca Rutte – rrutte@covercress.com

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for growth and professional development.