Production Associate (Raleigh)

Join EarthOptics as a Production Associate!

Our mission is to be the leading soil information company delivering maps that growers farmers ranchers and other stakeholders use to cost-effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete. At EarthOptics we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis data science microbiology and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our unified mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil.

We are a growing company with a passion for soil health innovative technologies and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have 100 individuals spread across 20 states and 2 countries and they come from all walks of life industries and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently.

Our Production Associate will join our Raleigh NC Labteam to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. As a Production Associate at our Raleigh NC lab you will be responsible for performing daily soil processing tasks according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). You will ensure safe efficient and compliant handling of samples and analytical equipment. This role requires good organizational skills adaptability in a fast-paced environment and collaboration with coworkers located on- and off-site to support sustainable and data-driven agricultural practices. Good communication skills are essential to ensure proper synchronization between other labs and upstream and downstream departments and processes.

Regardless of the role our team embraces learning craves collaboration and is driven by a fast-paced environment. If you resonate with our values and goals we encourage you to applyeven if you dont meet every requirement. You could be the perfect fit for this role or future opportunities.

The digs:

• Job Type: Part-Time Non-Exempt Temporary to Permanent after 90-days based on performance and business needs
• Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm ET or as workload requires.
• Work Location: This is an onsite position in our Raleigh NC office and laboratory.
• Travel: Less than 5% of the time
• Target Start Date: ASAP
• Compensation: $23.00 per hour

What youll cultivate as a Production Associate: (Your responsibilities)

• Maintain a clean and organized work environment
• Maintain high throughput sample processing expectations
• Receive and sort samples according to the analysis ordered
• Operate standard and sensitive lab equipment (carbon analyzers ICPs FIAs centrifuges pH robots etc.)
• Track project/sample status to ensure all samples receive the correct analyses within the given turnaround time
• Perform regular analytical quality assessment and instrument maintenance
• Handle high-temperature materials (360 C) (PPE provided)
• Organize (label package store) processed samples into extensive soil library
• Analytical data entry into computer systems

• Adhere to safety guidelines and regulatory requirements

Are you our soil-mate Youll bloom in this role if you have: (Your qualifications)

• Bachelors degree in any related technical field or 1 year of full time laboratory experience
• Experienced in operating complex laboratory instrumentation performing maintenance and analytical quality assessments.
• Ability to track multiple projects at a time to ensure samples are on track for analyses in time and quality.
• Demonstrates ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Maintains exceptional reliability through consistent attendance punctuality and dependability
• Fosters a respectful workplace by building professional relationships and collaborating positively with all team members
• Adapts to flexible working hours with availability for occasional after-hours sample exchanges
• Applies strong attention to detail in all work tasks
• Works comfortably with large volumes of soil and soil slurry
• Performs repetitive tasks with consistent quality and focus
• Handles chemicals and sharps safely while adhering to all safety procedures and utilizing provided PPE
• Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer/IT troubleshooting and competency with hand tools

• Ability to understand and precisely follow protocols and procedures
• Having knowledge of laboratory safety guidelines
• While performing duties of this job you will be required to stand walk sit reach with hands and arms stoop or kneel talk and hear and use fingers and hands.
  • Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
  • Specific vision abilities required include close vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  • This job will be performed in a Lab environment; dress is casual and Protective Personal Equipment is supplied as well as lab coats.

**We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time.

Although not required wed love to see roots in:

• Prior experience in a fast-paced start-up environment
• Prior experience working with environmental samples especially soil samples

Aside from the green we can offer you:

• 401k Plan Employer Match up to 4%
• Accrued paid time off
• Candidate Referral Program
• Above and Beyond Bonus Program
• Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings

How we stay grounded:

Although we have teammates working in the field in-office and at home we aim to create a cohesive diverse and enriching environment for all of our employees. We embrace different tools to enhance our workflows and communicate intentionally both live and asynchronously. A few quick facts you should know:

• We rely on Slack to communicate. Although there are a variety of team-specific systems to facilitate your work this is our primary!
• We love both food and emojis at EarthOptics. If hired youll come to love (and use many) taco and donut emojis.
• Our core business hours are Monday through Friday 11am-4pm EST. We have teammates in every time zone and have some teams that operate outside of that timeframe. As a remote employee you are asked to honor those hours to ensure enough time to overlap with key cross-functional teams.
• In order to maximize our remote culture we host company-wide opportunities to connect (virtually and in-person) and create space for focus work. For example we have a weekly all-hands stand-up meeting on Monday and reserve Fridays as a regular No Meeting day.
• Instead of values we believe in actionable cultural concepts. Collectively we hold one another to act and give feedback with these concepts in mind. Ours are information and intent recognition and respect and autonomy and accountability.

Inclusion and Diversity at EarthOptics:

At EarthOptics we embrace diversity and equality and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs job requirements and individual qualifications regardless of race color religion gender gender identity national origin age marital status parental status veteran status or disability.

We are deeply committed to welcoming and including every qualified individual. As a part of this commitment we ensure that persons with disabilities have access to reasonable accommodations. If you require assistance during the job application or interview process need support to perform essential job functions or seek other benefits and privileges of employment please reach out to us at .

Required Experience:

Junior IC