Farm Labor 2 R&D in Leicester, North Carolina at Leicester, NC

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.

DESCRIPTION:

The Farm Labor 2 (Research & Development) at Costa Farms is a dependable and detail-oriented individual passionate about supporting agricultural research and innovation. As part of the Research & Development team, they will be responsible for executing farm labor tasks that directly support experimental trials and data collection. This role is crucial in maintaining research trials, assisting growers, and ensuring accurate field operations to enhance crop performance and growing outcomes. By promoting sustainable practices and precise execution of protocols, the Farm Laborer II contributes to advancing agricultural knowledge and operational success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Prepare, stick and sow crops in research trials.

· Transplanting trial material into the appropriate containers

· Performing other plant operations as required properly such as pinching plants, spreading plants, re-potting plants, relabeling or re-tagging plants or products, etc.

· Moving products and or plant materials from one area of the farm to another as needed.

· Assist in setting up experimental trials, including plot layout and labeling.

· Collect samples (soil, plant tissue, seed) and record observations.

· Irrigate, fertilize and apply pesticides and other treatments according to research protocols.

· Monitor crop growth, pest activity, and environmental conditions.

· Record field data accurately in the R&D system (Mercado)

· Follow safety procedures and ensure compliance with research standards.

Additional Responsibilities

· Availability for flexible schedule changes based on business needs (including but not limited to seasonal demand and additional hours outside of the regular work schedule, such as weekends, nights, and holidays).

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information or help as required.

· Perform additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

· 1–2 years of farm labor experience, ideally in a research or experimental setting.

· Ability to operate farm machinery and perform physically demanding tasks.

· Basic understanding of crop production, soil management, and pest control.

· Strong attention to detail and ability to follow precise instructions.

· Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Physical Demands

· Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects,

Work Environment:

· Outdoor Work Environment: Ability to work outdoors in fluctuating weather conditions, including exposure to sunlight, rain, wind, and temperature changes (hot, cold, rainy, windy). Tasks often involve manual labor or physical effort.

SKILLS

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to employees.

· Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

· Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.

· Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.

· Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.

· Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and verbal communication).

· Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to learn and use and other business systems effectively.

COMPETENCIES

· Teamwork and collaboration

· Reliability and consistency

· Adaptability to changing priorities

· Commitment to safety and quality standards

All applicants must be work-authorized.

Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

After applying, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what’s happening around Costa Farms and to start becoming part of our family. Come Grow with Us™!

Here at Costa Farms, we're proud to offer not only a competitive wage, but also some really great benefits:

• Company 401(k) with employer matching contributions
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care
• Telehealth - Medical and Mental Health Care
• Medical Insurance
• GAP Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC)
• Legal/ID Theft Protection plans
• Professional development opportunities
• Challenging and exciting work environment
• Costa Farms Scholarship
• Employee discounts on plants

Costa Farms headquarters also has:

• On-site gym with showers
• Subsidized on-site cafeteria, a quiet room, and indoor games
• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year