Hourly Mushroom Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Culture Operations Inoculation Technician
Reporting To: Culture Operations Supervisor
Location: San Juan Bautista, CA
Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: Hourly Rate $18.00 per hour
Our simple vision is to be the best integrated mushroom company in North America by efficiently delivering superior value to our customers and consumers. We do that by creating long-term value for customers, teammates, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. We work intentionally toward that vision with a collaborative team foundation. Our principles of trust, respect, integrity, shared vision, empowerment, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement spur our actions every day as we work to achieve our purpose.
At the heart of our culture is a group of individuals who dedicate themselves to their work and each other day in and day out. That's why we invest in enhancing the lives in the communities around Monterey Mushrooms locations. In our hearts, we're humble farmers. We're proud of our continent-wide reach from Monterey Mushrooms locations across North America - from coast to coast and Mexico - focused on our company purpose of Enhancing People's Lives. For more information, please visit our website. www.montereymushrooms.com.
Amycel Spawn Mate is the industry leader in mushroom genetics and spawn development that supports the gourmet, medicinal, and exotic mushroom markets around the world. Amycel Spawn Mate has been serving the Mushroom Industry in North and South America since the late 1970s, and internationally since the early 1990s. Amycel Spawn Mate is the company you can depend on to help you grow the best. For increased productivity, the consistency you need and the quality you demand, Amycel Spawn Mate delivers. We provide mushroom spawns, supplements, and services that mushroom growers need worldwide. We are the world leader in mushroom strain development. Over 90% of North American growers use our two proprietary brown mushroom spawn. Our Research and Development Group creates the best strains for all growing environments, and it is hard at work developing a new hybrid strain of white mushroom spawn. Visit us at www.Amycel.com.
Monterey Nutraceuticals is the current medicinal mushroom industry split between low-quality producers and US cultivators with limited capabilities and product offerings. The industry is void of a low-cost, US-based producer that can offer a full medicinal mushroom product line (pure fruiting body and mycelium-based products) and that can serve as an unbiased, scientifically sound market educator and leader. As the industry leader for over 50 years, Monterey Mushrooms has the production capacity, expertise, distribution network, R & D capability, and trusted brand to fill the market void and become the dominant global supplier of US-grown medicinal mushrooms. We know mushrooms! From seed (spawn) to powder, we have control over every aspect of our business as we're a vertically integrated mushroom producer in North America. The spawn we use to grow our medicinal mushrooms is produced by our affiliate, Amycel SpawnMate. Then, we grow, dry, and package everything at our facilities in California to ensure our mushroom powders reach their full potential. If that is not enough, we third-party test for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, polysaccharides, and various compounds. In house, we test every product for potency, quality, and purity, and we have that verified by a third party periodically. Monterey Nutraceuticals is a portfolio company of Paine Schwarz Partners, who invested in the business in May 2022. For more information, visit us www.montereymushrooms.com/nutraceuticals.
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Why This Role Matters:
The Culture Operations Inoculation Technician plays a critical role in supporting Amycel's culture production and strain certification programs. This position is responsible for producing, testing, tracking, and maintaining inoculation materials used throughout Amycel's research, development, and production operations. Through strong laboratory practices, attention to detail, and adherence to sterile techniques, this role helps ensure the quality, consistency, and integrity of Amycel's cultures and inoculation products.
What You'll Own:
Culture Production & Inoculation

• Prepare various types of media to support the growth requirements of different mushroom strains.
• Inoculate and shake grain bags used for strain certification activities.
• Assist with pouch inoculation, incubation, cool-down processes, and production scheduling.
• Perform pouch selection activities for inoculum production.
• Prepare and autoclave milo pouches for nutraceutical production.
• Routinely monitor inventory and remove outdated materials as needed.

Quality Assurance & Testing

• Conduct sterility certification plating for all inoculation products.
• Assist with reading sterility plates and collecting quality data.
• Perform pH and moisture analyses for inoculation and spawn substrates.
• Support BIPS batch certification and maintain records for PCR testing activities.
• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with quality standards.

Inventory & Production Support

• Assist with packing and shipping inoculation products to Amycel facilities.
• Coordinate certification mini-bag deliveries to ITF.
• Conduct monthly inventories of laboratory materials and supplies.
• Perform pouch inventory reconciliations and maintain inventory accuracy within JDE.
• Create, transfer, and close production work orders in JDE.

Data Management & Documentation

• Maintain culture maintenance databases using JDE and Access-based systems.
• Enter inoculation production information on a daily basis.
• Generate reports and production records as requested.
• Maintain accurate documentation and recordkeeping practices.

Laboratory Operations & Maintenance

• Perform routine laboratory sanitation and clean-up activities.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and clean room procedures.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to laboratory operations and efficiency.

What's The Right Fit:
Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and clean room procedures.
• Understanding of long-term culture storage methods.
• Knowledge of growth parameters for production strains and inoculation substrates.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and data entry.
• Strong attention to detail and aptitude for highly detailed work.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining accuracy and productivity.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and environments.

Desired:

• Experience with JDE and Access database systems.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Previous laboratory, microbiology, biotechnology, agricultural, or mushroom industry experience.
• Knowledge of culture maintenance and inoculation production processes.

Technical Skills & Equipment:
Experience or ability to learn the operation of:

• pH meters
• Moisture analyzers
• Oxygen monitors
• Temperature and humidity data loggers
• Laboratory balances
• Autoclaves
• Laminar flow units
• Culture refrigerators and incubators
• Bunsen burners
• Standard laboratory glassware and testing equipment
• Microsoft Office applications and database systems

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking while performing laboratory and production duties.
• Frequent sitting while performing data entry and documentation tasks.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of boxes, supplies, and production materials.
• Occasional reaching, stretching, bending, stooping, kneeling, and climbing.
• Frequent to continuous use of hands and fingers for laboratory procedures and computer work.
• Ability to maintain visual focus for detailed laboratory work and computer-based tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively and perceive normal speaking levels with or without correction.

Work Environment:
This position works primarily within Amycel's clean room, laboratory, substrate mixing, and production environments. The role also requires work within a general office setting and may occasionally involve exposure to varying temperatures, outdoor weather conditions, production equipment, dust, and other environmental conditions typical of laboratory and manufacturing operations.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including hearing protection, dust masks, gloves, safety footwear, and other required safety equipment, must be worn as required by company policies and operational needs.