Production Technician - Intake (Emeryville)

Join EarthOptics as a Production Technician - Intake! 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. At EarthOptics, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil. We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 20 states and two countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently. Our Production Technician - Intake will join our Emeryville, CA Lab team to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. As a Production Technician on our Intake team, you will be responsible for supporting the Emeryville laboratory by receiving, documenting, organizing, and routing incoming soil samples according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). This role is responsible for maintaining sample identity and traceability, identifying and escalating receiving issues, and ensuring samples are directed to the appropriate downstream workflow. During periods of lower intake volume, the technician will also support dry-soil processing and other laboratory production activities. This position requires accuracy, adaptability, and effective collaboration in a fast-paced, high-throughput environment. 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: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Temporary to Regular, Part-Time after 90-days based on performance and business needs Work Location: This is an onsite position in our Emeryville, CA office and laboratory Schedule: The role is 30 hours per week, and operations may occur 7 days a week during peak season. Employees may be scheduled for day, evening, and weekend shifts. Actual days worked will vary based on operational needs. Target Start Date: August 31, 2026 Compensation: $22.00 per hour What you’ll cultivate as a Production Technician - Intake: (Your responsibilities) Receive, inspect, organize, and log incoming soil samples into the laboratory information system, ensuring accurate identification and traceability. Sort, label, and route samples to the appropriate processing workflows while maintaining quality, chain of custody, and documentation standards. Identify and resolve routine sample discrepancies, escalating complex issues and coordinating with laboratory, production, and project teams as needed. Operate and maintain intake equipment, workspaces, and supplies while following all safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. Maintain an orderly intake queue and prioritize samples according to operational needs. Support downstream soil processing activities, including drying, homogenization, subsampling, labeling, storage, and other production tasks to maintain efficient laboratory operations. Support other laboratory and production activities as operational needs require. Are you our soil-mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have experience in: (Your qualifications) High school diploma required. 1+ years of experience working in a manufacturing, production or other similar fast-paced environment. Ability to accurately follow sample receiving, labeling, documentation, and routing procedures while maintaining sample tra