We offer a unique opportunity to a student majoring in entomology or sustainable agriculture. Our interns are eager to learn more about biological pest control by natural enemies. They enjoy working with our relaxed and focused, creative, diverse and fun, unified and dedicated team. The internship objective is to provide real-life situations for interns to develop and produce products and serve our customers with the latest knowledge about commercially available biological pest control resources. In exchange the intern pitches in where needed during peak workloads in production, shipping, billing, maintenance, and any other operations as needed.

Preference is given to an applicant that has completed all or most of his/her bachelor's degree requirements and seeks practical experience to help decide what path to take in graduate school or in the biocontrol industry or profession. We are equal opportunity advocates.

Biological Control Technician Summer Internship

Modest s tipend plus optional room in caretaker residence with owner-managers Ron and Jan. We are located in an oil field that is on a bus route and 25 mile bike path near Ventura, CA and the Pacific Ocean.

40 hours/week mid-May through Labor Day, 2016.

Activities depend on interest and capacity, but may include :
Customer service - help answer incoming calls re pest problems and biological solutions and process orders
Order fulfillment - assist with assembly, packaging and shipping of products as needed,
Qualtiy control - test products and do quality checks
Marketing - help lead in development and implementation of sales, demonstration, field trials, marketing projects
Technical support - participate in fieldwork, consulting and educational projects

Qualifications:
Enthusiasm for learning about sustainable agriculture and biological pest control
Effective verbal and written communication in English (bilingual Spanish helpful)
Computer skills including Windows, MS Word and Excel, transitioning to 2007.
Ability to learn data entry in Quickbooks.
Work smoothly in routine tasks in a standard office and shipping room setting for peak load activity
Good manual dexterity and workspace organization for quality control and special assignments.
For field experience, be able to walk on unsurfaced roads and crop rows carrying 25 lb vacuum insect collector. A plus if you have a clean driving record and have or quickly get a California driver’s license, ability to safely drive 1981 50% biodiesel rabbit 5 speed pickup.

For marketing, have knowledge and skill with databases, web writing, editing.

Able to make a firm commitment from early to mid-May through Labor Day.

To apply, email or fax your resume with cover letter. Explain your interests and reasons why the internship fits with your purpose and learning objectives. Include references of five people who know your abilities, work ethics, and if you seek accomodation, we want references regarding your personal habits to know that it will work out having you live with us. Successful applicants will be notified by March 15. If you cannot start by May 1.

Please email or FAX inquiries to jan @ dietrick.org or FAX to 805-643-6267.