A Food or Agricultural Technician assists agricultural and food scientists with research and testing related to safety and quality control. May focus on testing and lab analysis for animal crops and animal feed, or focus on testing and lab analysis for food, food crops, processed food, food additives and food containers.
Company Description Farm-Ed is an innovative EdTech organization transforming education through hands-on learning experiences. Utilizing a cutting-edge, AI-driven smart grow chamber, Farm-Ed provides students with practical exposure to sustainable farming practices. Focused on empowering the next generation of agriculture and STEM leaders, Farm-Ed is dedicated to redefining education to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving industry. Farm-Ed's vision is to make STEM education accessible to all students through innovative AI-powered agricultural tools and curriculum that prepares students for future careers in sustainability and technology.
Location:
In-Field and In-Office, Serving K-12th grade classrooms in the Baton Rouge, LA area The Farm-Ed System Technicians play a critical role in supporting schools that use Farm-Ed's AI-powered Grow Chambers. As a member of the Field Operations team, the System Technician ensures that each controlled-environment chamber is successfully installed, properly maintained, and performing at optimal levels. This position blends hands-on technical work, troubleshooting, customer support, and data collection—all with the ultimate goal of helping teachers deliver high-quality STEM learning experiences. System Technicians work directly with educators, administrators, and occasionally students, providing training, answering questions, and ensuring smooth classroom implementation. This role requires a proactive mindset, excellent communication skills, and a passion for making STEM education accessible, engaging, and sustainable.
Key Responsibilities:
Field Installations & Technical Support Install, configure, and verify successful setup of Farm-Ed CEA Grow Chambers at school locations. Provide on-site training for teachers and staff. Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, IoT, and environmental system issues. Guide users through network or hotspot reconnection processes. Assist with in-classroom equipment placement and power management. Deliver exceptional customer service during every school visit. Maintenance, Inventory, Monitoring & Repairs Maintain a log of all materials used in the field and make requests to purchase materials before they are needed. Perform routine preventative maintenance. Conduct water changes and end-of-year cleaning. Inspect and replace sensors (pH probes, door sensors, leak detectors). Diagnose and resolve issues related to irrigation, pH, PPM, airflow, and humidification. Apply Sanidate (EPA registered disinfectant) treatments and monitor for system irregularities. Data Collection & Documentation Maintain accurate logs of installations, service calls, repairs, and customer interactions in HouseCall (field service management software). Collect field data to support R&D and help identify performance trends. Report major system failures or recurring issues through escalation channels. Customer Experience & Collaboration Communicate clearly with educators, administrators, and the Farm-Ed team. Educate users on daily system checks, proper maintenance routines, and safe handling procedures. Relay user feedback and identify needed enhancements to the Farm-Ed team. Schedule all site visits, giving at least 48 hours notice to teachers prior to each site visit. Respond to all communications from school personnel within 24 hours, including the Farm-Ed Director of Education on school communications. Complete weekly remote Chamber Checks through the Farm-Ed Admin Portal, verifying classroom connectivity, identifying potential issues, and reporting on plant growth. Communicate device or plant anomalies to the Farm-Ed Lead Biologist
EXPECTATIONS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
Reliable personal vehicle to service sites within the Baton Rouge area (maximum distance from office to site of 16 mi with mileage reimbursed; rental or company car available for schools outside Baton Rouge area) Maintain professionalism and courtesy when working in classrooms and with school personnel. Follow safety protocols when handling nutrients, water systems, tools, and electrical components. Represent Farm-Ed's mission and values. Demonstrate accountability, proactive communication, and an eagerness to learn and grow. This role requires the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., transport and load/unload equipment and supplies from a personal vehicle, stand, bend, and kneel for extended periods during installations and maintenance visits, and safely handle lab-grade chemicals and nutrient solutions in accordance with provided safety protocols and OSHA guidelines. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for this role should have: Valid driver's license, automobile insurance, and reliable transportation Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Biology, Education, or a related field Completion of post-secondary coursework in Biology, Agriculture, or related fields with laboratory experience Preference will be given to applicants who have: Experience with hydroponics, controlled environment agriculture, or laboratory procedures Interest in supporting education, teachers, youth development, or STEM applications of agriculture Background checks, including criminal history and fingerprinting, are required as this role serves active classrooms. Farm-Ed welcomes applications from recent graduates and first-time professionals. If your degree, coursework, or hands-on lab experience has prepared you to work with biological systems, agricultural technology, or science education — we want to hear from you. Paid training on all Farm-Ed systems is provided, and this role is designed to grow with you.
ANTICIPATED HOURS & COMPENSATION
This job is full-time with 40 hours per week as a 12 month employee. As a school-based role, hours may vary from 7:30am - 3:30pm when on-site to 9:00 am - 5:00pm when in-office. Hours vary based on season and school calendars. This role has an anticipated start date of July 27, 2026. Compensation ranges from $50,000 - $58,000 depending on qualifications, paid bi-weekly. Farm-Ed does not provide employer-sponsored health insurance at this time. In recognition of this, Farm-Ed provides a monthly stipend of $500 to assist in offsetting the cost of individual health coverage.
