Remote Soil Microbiology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join EarthOptics as a Field Technician! 

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 combine cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. 

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 two 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 Field Technicians will join our Field Operations team to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. We have certain criteria across all our hires at EarthOptics, no matter the position or team. 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 apply—even if you don't meet every requirement. You could be the perfect fit for this role or future opportunities.

The digs: 

• Job Type: Temporary to Regular Full-Time, Non-Exempt
• Location: This is a remote position open to candidates currently residing in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Colorado.
• Travel: There is a substantial requirement for nationwide travel (both in and out of state), approximately 75% of the time, for up to 14 days at a time.

• Compensation: On-target earnings comprised of your hourly rate, overtime rate, and an incentive pay structure per piece of data collected or mapped estimated to be between $25-30/hour.
  • The incentive compensation structure varies based on the types and total number of samples collected, sensor readings, and acres mapped.
  • Hourly compensation for travel time and coverage of travel-related expenses will be provided.
  • The hourly rate of pay is $15/per hour, and hours over 40 hours per week are $22.50/per hour.
  • Please note that Field Technicians can earn significantly over the range listed - in some cases roughly $100k per year.

What you’ll cultivate as a Field Technician: (Your responsibilities) 

• Support row crop, rangeland, timber, and related field research and data-collection activities.
• Travel nationwide to assigned field locations and collect accurate field data.
• Coordinate appropriately with farmers, ranchers, landowners, and other stakeholders regarding property access and field activities.
• Conduct physical soil sampling according to applicable sampling requirements.
• Safely and efficiently use hand-operated and automated sensor equipment.
• Follow applicable sampling, safety, data-quality, equipment, and field-operation protocols.
• Accurately document required field data, activities, and sample information.
• Maintain and transport EarthOptics-provided field equipment.
• Safely operate, load, unload, and transport trucks, trailers, ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, and other assigned equipment.
• Prepare, label, pack, and ship samples to designated laboratories.
• Communicate assignment progress, field conditions, equipment issues, and other relevant information to the Operations Manager and appropriate internal teams.
• Meet applicable production, quality, safety, and equipment-care requirements for accepted assignments.
• Provide field and support-line assistance to other technicians and partners by helping troubleshoot equipment, sampling, data collection, and workflow questions.
• Help train and onboard Field Technicians and partners on EarthOptics field procedures, equipment use, safety requirements, sampling protocols, and data-quality expectations

Are you our soil-mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have experience in: (Your qualifications) 

• Performing physical work in outdoor environments, in a variety of climates and weather.
• Regularly lifting more than 50 pounds.
• Capturing data accurately (especially if through soil sampling).
• Operating, loading, unloading, and transporting a range of equipment including but not limited to vehicles, trucks, trailers, ATVs, UTVs, side by sides, and company hardware. 
• Proficient use of trailers or towing equipment. 
• Managing independent work while traveling, especially for extended periods and overnight stays (up to 10 days at a time).
• Operating laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. 

**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, we’d love to see roots in:

• Farm, rangeland, timber, or field research experience (either personally or professionally).
• Ability to navigate to sample points in difficult offroad terrain using a SBS/UTV. 

Aside from “the green”, we can offer you:

• 401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%
• Accrued paid time off, with increased accrual rate each year of service
• 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, you’ll 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 accommodations@earthoptics.com.