Job Summary: The Winegrowing and Lab Intern will be involved in all aspects of vineyard monitoring work, as well as laboratory work, with most work time spent in the vineyard.  This position provides a critical supporting role for day-to-day operations of the Viticulturist, Vineyard Manager and Winemaking Team and assists with quality of the vineyard and vineyard experiments.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equity Statement: All employees shall embrace the unique contributions based on the diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, experiences, and identities of each individual as we actively create and promote a company culture that is inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of all people.

Safety Statement:  All employees shall follow safe practices according to the Injury and Illness Prevention Policy (IIPP), render every possible aid to safe operations, and report all unsafe conditions or practices immediately to any management employee or Human Resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Viticulture Duties (65%):

• Monitor shoot growth
• Measure and record pre-dawn and mid-day leaf water potential
• Conduct crop estimates—including shoot, cluster and berry counts, taking pictures and data entry
• Observe and monitor phenology weekly
• Operate a soil moisture probe for data collection
• Conduct measurements of Fruition Sciences “smart points” and upload data
• Sample berries for maturity purpose
• Prepare berry samples — including count, crush and weight
• Prepare Buffer solution for berry extraction using a modified Harbertson-Adams assay for berries
• Report and monitor viticulture experiments
• Assist with logistics of grape harvest
• Provide support with integrated pest and disease management
• Record and monitor vineyard measurements and vine counts for mapping purposes 

1. Laboratory Duties (35%):

• Obtain samples from vineyard
• Take samples of grapes, juice or wine as requested from bins, barrels, tanks, or bottles.
• Complete daily laboratory analysis during harvest
• Solvent preparation and extraction for modified Harbertson-Adams assay for berries/wine
• Record analysis correctly electronically
• Alert supervisor to any abnormal results or those that might risk wine quality
• Operate, monitor and calibrate lab equipment, notify supervisor if out of specifications
• Understand SDS information sheets, hazardous material handling, wear PPE
• Respect all safety policies and procedures; insure correct operating status of safety equipment
• Weigh and measure using scale, volumetric pipettes or flasks, graduated cylinders

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Salary Range:  $20 - $21 per hour

Job Requirements: detail-oriented, curious, scientific perspective, open minded, good relationship and teamwork ability

Education/Experience: BS Degree in Viticulture or related International equivalent; or up to three years related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of one year’s agricultural experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:   

• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Creative - Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea.
• Deductive Reasoning - Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Safety Awareness and Accountability - Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety, be responsible for personal safety and safety of others, adhere to company policies and procedures.

Physical Demands:

N (Not Applicable) - Activity is not applicable to this occupation

O (Occasionally) - Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0-2.5+hrs/day)

F (Frequently) - Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5-5.5+ hrs/day)

C(Constantly) - Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day) 

Lift/Carry

10 lbs or Less, F

11 – 20 lbs, F

21 – 50 lbs, F

51 – 100 lbs, O

Over 100 lbs, N

Push/Pull

12 lbs or Less, F

13-25 lbs, F

26-40 lbs, O

41-100 lbs, O

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance)

Sense of Sound (i.e. Machinery/forklift sounds)

Sense of Touch

Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Steel toe boots, safety glasses)

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.  Employee works around dangerous, automatic machinery. 

Other:

• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean DMV record required (if applicable)
• English and Spanish skills preferred (Bilingual)
• Wine knowledge and Viticultural knowledge preferred
• Computer skills: Excel, Filemaker Pro, Word
• Must be able to lift and carry heavy objects of 40 pounds (1 case of wine)