Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Mite Production Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the propagation and rearing of beneficial insects and mites according to company protocols.
- Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production.
- Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care.
- Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.
- Record production data accurately using established systems (Excel, databases, or other software), including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations.
- Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination.
- Follow biosecurity, safety, and hygiene protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Operate microscopes and stereoscopes to observe insect and mite development and quality.
- Communicate any anomalies in insect or mite behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly.
- Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance.
- Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives, including troubleshooting and process efficiency projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).
- Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.
- Computer literacy and ability to accurately enter and maintain data in spreadsheets or databases.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or other laboratory/production standards preferred.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented, and cross-functional environment.
- Strong observation, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain accuracy in repetitive tasks.
- Fine motor skills and ability to handle delicate tasks with precision.
- Close visual acuity for monitoring very small organisms under magnification.
- Comfort working with live insects and mites in a production/laboratory setting.
- Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and hygiene compliance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Close visual acuity required for tasks involving insect and mite observation, equipment operation, and data entry.
- Manual dexterity for handling small and delicate insects and mites with care.
- Ability to work in controlled environments with variable temperatures and humidity.
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds regularly.
- Frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements.
- Extended periods of standing or sitting, including time operating a stereoscope and/or computer.
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Bumblebee Production Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of bumblebees. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the propagation and rearing of bumblebees according to company protocols.
- Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production.
- Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care.
- Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.
- Record production data accurately using established systems (Excel, databases, or other software), including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations.
- Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination.
- Follow biosecurity, safety, and hygiene protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Operate microscopes and stereoscopes to observe insect development and quality.
- Communicate any anomalies in insect behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly.
- Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance.
- Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives, including troubleshooting and process efficiency projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).
- Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.
- Computer literacy and ability to accurately enter and maintain data in spreadsheets or databases.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or other laboratory/production standards preferred.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented, and cross-functional environment.
- Strong observation, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain accuracy in repetitive tasks.
- Fine motor skills and ability to handle delicate tasks with precision.
- Comfort working with live insects and in a production/laboratory setting.
- Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and hygiene compliance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Close visual acuity required for tasks involving insect observation, equipment operation, and data entry.
- Manual dexterity for handling small and delicate insects with care.
- Ability to work in controlled environments with variable temperatures and humidity.
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds regularly.
- Frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements.
- Extended periods of standing or sitting, including time operating a stereoscope and/or computer.
Description
Position Summary
We are seeking a Lacewing Production Supervisor to oversee daily lacewing production operations. This role ensures that production targets are met in both quantity and quality while maintaining high standards of efficiency, safety, and teamwork.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise and execute daily lacewing production plans.
- Oversee preparation of raw materials, including setups, breakdowns, artificial diets, and egg harvesting.
- Monitor and maintain inventory of raw materials and finished products.
- Ensure all production tasks are completed accurately, on time, and in required quantities.
- Train, guide, and support production team members.
- Repair and maintain production materials as needed.
- Collaborate with other departments to meet production goals.
- Ensure adherence to safety and quality standards. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in Biology or Agricultural Science, or a related field (preferred), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2–3 years of supervisory experience managing teams of 5–10 employees.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Effective, assertive communication skills with team members and supervisors.
- Ability to adapt to new procedures and changing workplace conditions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Physical requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be reasonably met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach (including overhead), grasp, push, and pull.
- Move, lift, and/or carry materials, supplies, and product weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally to shoulder height, with or without assistance.
- Sit, walk, or stand for extended periods of time, up to 8 hours per workday, with reasonable breaks.
- Perform repetitive motions and maintain manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, telephone, and standard office and production equipment.
- Vision, hearing, and verbal communication abilities are required to safely and effectively perform job duties.
Work environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered in a nursery-style production and insect-rearing environment.
- Work is primarily performed in indoor nursery and production areas, including climate-controlled rooms, rearing areas, and workstations used for feeding, harvesting, packaging, and quality control of beneficial insects (lacewings).
- Environmental conditions may include variable temperatures, humidity, plant material, organic substrates, insects, dust, and related odors.
- Work may occasionally be performed in an indoor warehouse, staging, or shipping/receiving environment.
- As a working supervisor, this position routinely performs hands-on production tasks alongside team members and is exposed to the same operational conditions and hazards.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required based on task and work area and may include gloves and closed-toe, slip-resistant footwear.
- The employee may be required to work outside of normal workdays or hours to meet operational or production deadlines.
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Aphid/Colemani Team Leader supports and leads the mass rearing of aphid hosts and Aphidius colemani using established protocols and best practices. In addition to performing hands-on insect rearing duties, this role provides day-to-day guidance to a small production team, ensuring proper environmental conditions, colony health, accurate data collection, and adherence to safety and biosecurity standards. The Team Leader works closely with Production Management, Quality, and R&D to ensure consistent, high-quality biological control output.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare and maintain aphid and Aphidius colemani rearing environments, including temperature, humidity, light, and sanitation controls.
- Handle and care for insect colonies through all life stages in accordance with established rearing schedules.
- Prepare and distribute food sources, host material, and infestation inputs to support healthy colony development.
- Lead daily production activities including colony maintenance, harvesting, sorting, and pupae processing.
- Inspect colonies daily for health, growth, contamination, parasitism rates, or abnormalities; escalate concerns as needed.
- Train and guide team members on rearing techniques, SOPs, safety protocols, and biosecurity requirements.
- Ensure strict adherence to sanitation, biological containment, and cross-contamination prevention procedures.
- Accurately document production data, observations, yields, and quality control checks.
- Assist with harvesting, packaging, labeling, and staging of finished products for shipment.
- Support basic operation and cleaning of production equipment and workstations.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, and consistent performance within the production group.
- Adhere to company safety guidelines and promptly report any deviations or concerns to supervision.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or experience in biology, agriculture, or a related field preferred.
- 1–3 years of experience in insect rearing, agricultural production, animal care, or laboratory/controlled-environment work preferred.
- Prior team lead or informal leadership experience strongly preferred.
- Ability to work confidently with live insects and maintain close attention to detail.
- Strong observation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to follow written protocols, provide direction to others, and maintain accurate production records.
- Comfortable performing repetitive tasks in a production or laboratory setting.
- Basic computer skills for data entry and production logs.
Physical requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be reasonably met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach (including overhead), grasp, push, and pull.
- Move, lift, and/or carry materials, supplies, and product weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally to shoulder height, with or without assistance.
- Sit, walk, or stand for extended periods of time, up to 8 hours per workday, with reasonable breaks.
- Perform repetitive motions and maintain manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, telephone, and standard office and production equipment.
- Vision, hearing, and verbal communication abilities are required to safely and effectively perform job duties.
Work environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered in a nursery-style production and insect-rearing environment.
- Work is primarily performed in indoor nursery and production areas, including climate-controlled rooms, rearing areas, and workstations used for feeding, harvesting, packaging, and quality control of beneficial insects (lacewings).
- Environmental conditions may include variable temperatures, humidity, plant material, organic substrates, insects, dust, and related odors.
- Work may occasionally be performed in an indoor warehouse, staging, or shipping/receiving environment.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required based on task and work area and may include gloves and closed-toe, slip-resistant footwear.
Description
Insect Rearing Technician (Long term temp to hire position)
Department: House Fly
Reports To: Site Supervisor
Location: Bella Vista
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Insect Rearing Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in the propagation and rearing of beneficial insects and mites according to company protocols
- Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production
- Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care
- Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards
- Record production data accurately, including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations
- Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination
- Follow biosecurity and safety protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Communicate any anomalies in insect behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly
- Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance
- Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives as directed
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Prior experience in agriculture, entomology, greenhouse operations, lab work, or animal husbandry preferred
- Comfort working in environments with live insects and organic material
- Ability to follow detailed protocols and maintain accurate records
- Fine motor skills and the ability to handle delicate tasks with precision
- Ability to work in warm or humid environments typical of insect rearing facilities
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and stand for extended periods
- Dependable, organized, and capable of working independently or as part of a small team
Work Environment:
- Work is conducted in controlled environments such as greenhouses, insectaries, or rearing rooms
- Regular exposure to high humidity, variable temperatures, and live insect populations
- Use of PPE such as gloves, lab coats, and hairnets may be required
- Flexible scheduling may be necessary during peak production seasons
Physical Demands:
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time during rearing and production tasks
- Manual dexterity to handle small and delicate insects with care
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds regularly
- Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive hand movements
- Comfort working in high-humidity and variable-temperature environments typical of insect rearing facilities
- Use of ladders or step stools as needed to access equipment or materials