Field Technician General Interest

Are you interested in joining 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.

EarthOptics’ tools help farmers and ranchers to sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil. With proprietary remote sensing technologies and machine learning, we create accurate and real-time maps with fewer samples in less time, ultimately saving our end users money, time, and resources. 

Our Field Operations team is consistently expanding to new farms and locations every day. If you meet our qualifications but don’t see the right location, we’d still love to hear from you! We are currently open to connecting with talent based in the continental United States, and especially interested in connecting with talent based in:

• North and Central Illinois
• Western Iowa
  
• Southern South Dakota
  

Even if you do not currently live in one of those regions, but meet our qualifications, we welcome you to still apply. 

By completing this application, we will keep you on file for future openings near you. While we may not have a current need in your area, we would love to open the lines of communication and keep in touch! 

We are a growing, distributed company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We are currently ~90 individuals spread across 31 states, from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability, and help the world to see soil differently.

Our Field Technicians are integral to our Field Operations team and directly impact our mission through hands-on 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: Non-exempt, temporary to permanent.
• Travel: There is a substantial requirement for regional travel (both in and out of state), approximately 70-90% of the time.
  

• Compensation: On-target earnings consisting 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.
  • There is unlimited performance upside, so high-performing technicians have the potential to earn considerably more.
    
  • 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.
    

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

• Assist in field crop, grassland, and timber research by serving as the boots-on-the-ground support to EarthOptics.
• Travel to a variety of landscapes to swiftly and accurately collect valuable field data.
• Conduct a variety of physical soil sampling, including but not limited to Bulk Density, Carbon, and Meter Core samples. 
• Utilize hand-operated and automated meter-reading equipment safely and efficiently.
• Closely follow company procedures and protocols to document data, processes, and best practices.
• Maintain and transport equipment to field sites.
• Prepare, print, pack, and ship samples to corresponding labs. 
• Collaborate closely with the Group Team Lead, your Field Operations teammates, and internal technical teams to share information across the organization. 

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. 
• 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. 

If you’re ready to get your hands dirty as a Field Technician, you must: 

• Be eligible to work in the United States (please note, we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time).
• Able to maintain confidentiality (candidates must sign a non-disclosure agreement if hired).
• Possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record. 
• Be hard-working and dependable, open to travel, exude a positive attitude, and can work effectively as part of a team or independently.

Although not required, we’d love to see roots in: 

• Farm, grassland, timber, or field research experience (either personally or professionally).
• Education or additional training/credentials in agronomy, soil science, or engineering fields.
• Proficient use of trailers or towing equipment. 

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

• 401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%
• Accrued paid time off
• Cell phone reimbursement stipend
• Stipend for safety gear 
• Candidate Referral Program
• Above and Beyond Bonus Program, and other earning incentives

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. 🌮🍩
• Despite operating across different states, we offer a number of opportunities to gather (virtually), including our weekly all-hands stand-up meeting on Mondays and our monthly Field Operations Town Hall.
• 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.