Why U.S. Sugar?
Employees are our most valuable asset. When we succeed, our employees succeed. Many have an ownership stake in our privately held business through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). As we grow, we hire new employees who are knowledgeable, energetic and committed to keeping us on the cutting-edge of our industry. We reward them with challenging work, opportunities to learn and grow, competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment where safety is our top priority.
Job Description: Ag R&D Technician
Position Status: Regular, Full-Time
Supervisor: Scientist V
Department: Ag Research & Development
Company Overview: U.S. Sugar produces approximately 6.5 million tons of sugarcane annually on more than 200,000 acres of land in the South Florida area. U.S. Sugar owns and operates the largest private agricultural short line railroad in the country and is the only sugar company in the continental United States that transports its harvested cane supply from its farms and other growers by railroad to its sugar factory. The rail system includes the South Central Florida Express (SCFE), acquired by U.S. Sugar in 1994, which not only transports sugar cane to the factory, but also transports finished sugar products, citrus products, fertilizer, farm equipment, aggregates, and other freight interchanging with CSXT and FECR.
Position Summary
U.S. Sugar is seeking a highly motivated individual to adhere to strategic initiatives developed by Ag R&D and the commercial operation. The position will assist and support sugarcane variety development through field and greenhouse operations, including planting, monitoring, data collection, and maintenance of experimental trials under diverse conditions. The role also contributes to clean seed and tissue culture programs by identifying and handling disease-free plant material, ensuring adherence to protocols, and maintaining accurate records for traceability and quality control. This role demands strong attention to detail, clear communication, and a high degree of diligence and dedication to support company goals and ensure successful execution of sugarcane research projects and production outcomes in South Florida.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- This is a support role to agriculture operations that is located in the Ag R&D department.
- Maintain open lines of communication with Ag R&D pertaining to overall goals and initiatives developed.
- Conduct field and greenhouse activities to support sugarcane variety development, including planting, evaluating, and maintaining experimental trials.
- Assist in the selection and monitoring of sugarcane varieties under different soil and environmental conditions to support breeding and advancement programs.
- Perform routine agronomic assessments such as growth measurements, disease observation, and yield component data collection.
- Prepare and organize all necessary tools and materials for field operations, including machetes or knives, labeling tags, markers, data sheets or digital devices, sampling bags, and personal protective equipment to ensure safe and efficient work.
- Ensure proper supervision and compliance with all operational activities requiring institutional permits (such as USDA approvals), including adherence to regulatory guidelines, documentation, and reporting to maintain full compliance with legal and biosafety standards.
- Support greenhouse operations, including propagation, irrigation management, pest control, and plant health monitoring.
- Participate in clean seed programs by identifying, selecting, and maintaining disease-free plant material for propagation.
- Assist in sampling, tracking, and handling plant material for laboratory disease testing and tissue culture (TC) and MPB productions.
- Ensure strict adherence to protocols for clean seed production, minimizing contamination risks and maintaining varietal integrity.
- Coordinate with laboratory and field teams to support the transfer of plant samples (juice, tissues, others), and clean planting material between facilities.
- Accurately label plant materials, record field observations, and communicate conditions clearly to support the sugarcane breeder, demonstrating strong attention to detail and reliability in all assigned tasks.
- Perform the application of chemicals in field or greenhouse settings when necessary, ensuring proper handling.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- At least one year of experience in agriculture and/or experimental research activities.
- Ability in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, along with experience using data collection tablets and other digital tools for accurate field data recording and analysis.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Working knowledge of all components of agricultural operations would be a plus.
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail in data collection, labeling, and tracking of experimental plots, plant materials, and samples.
- Maintain accurate and timely records to ensure traceability and reliability of research data.
- Follow standard operating procedures and safety guidelines to ensure high-quality and consistent results.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors, researchers, and cross-functional teams regarding field progress, observations, and challenges.
- Collaborate with Ag managers, R&D, and lab teams to ensure alignment of activities and successful execution of research objectives.
- Demonstrate dedication and accountability in completing daily tasks, meeting project timelines, and supporting operational goals.
- Show flexibility and willingness to support critical activities during peak planting, sampling, and harvest periods.
- Demonstrate the skills and willingness to safely use a cane knife to cut sugarcane stalks in the field for sampling, testing, and research purposes, as needed.
- Contribute to achieving company vision and long-term goals by maintaining high standards of work quality and continuous improvement mindset.
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail and care in the handling, use, and maintenance of tools and specialized research equipment to ensure accuracy, safety, long-term reliability, and durability.
- Must be able to function independently, demonstrate flexibility and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members and other management staff.
- Good communication skills – requires the ability to effectively communicate verbally and written.
- Must be able to handle and coordinate multiple duties of an urgent nature.
- A valid driver’s license is required; there will be a lot of driving involved for this position.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle and/or move various objects, tools and/or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, talk, hear and see.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Physical requirements also include the following but are not limited to:
- Ability to freely access all areas of the farms, groves and plant including offices, various equipment, etc.
- Ability to operate and use all equipment necessary.
- Ability to safely work on an isolated farm location or in a location where work is being performed with minimal supervision
- Ability to move or handle various items generally weighing between 0-50 pounds; ability to lift and carry up to 50+ pounds.
- Ability to work varied hours and days.
- Ability to safely drive while pulling and maneuvering a trailer.
- Will be expected to work outside in all kinds of weather.
- Will be required to sit for extended time periods.
Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions on a regular basis.
Outside working conditions may be rainy, hot, humid, dusty, windy, etc. depending on the weather as well as the work location. Some work locations will be isolated which requires the employee to work independently and safely with minimum to no supervision.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Employee will be required to drive a vehicle for extended time periods.
The above declarations are not intended to be an “all-inclusive” list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job, and a reasonable representation of its activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
United States Sugar Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
