Description
Product Technician – Insect Production
**Department:** Biological Production
**Reports To:** Production Supervisor or Operations Manager
**Location:** [Insert location]
**FLSA Status:** Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Product Technician – Insect Production 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
Requirements
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.