Production Technician (Temp to Hire)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

JOB TITLE: Production Technician - Insect Rearing (Temp to Hire) 

Anticipated range: $18 - $20.00, depending on experience

Location: Bella Vista, Anderson, Caterpillar, Tanqueray

POSITION SUMMARY

The Production Technician - Insect Rearing supports the mass rearing of beneficial insects using established protocols and best practices. This role involves preparing diets and host material, maintaining insect colonies, monitoring life cycles, ensuring proper environmental conditions, and recording accurate production data. The technician works closely with the production team to ensure high-quality and consistent insect yields. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Prepare and maintain insect rearing environments, including temperature, humidity, and light controls.

· Handle and care for insect colonies through all life stages (egg, larva/nymph, pupa, adult).

· Prepare and distribute food sources or host plants/eggs to support insect development.

· Collect, separate, and transfer insects according to rearing schedules.

· Inspect colonies daily for health, growth, contamination, or abnormalities.

· Follow strict sanitation and biosecurity procedures to prevent cross-contamination.

· Accurately document production data, observations, and quality control checks.

· Assist with harvesting, packaging, and staging insects for distribution or further processing.

· Operate basic lab/production equipment and maintain cleanliness of workstations.

· Adhere to company safety guidelines and report any deviations or concerns to supervisors.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  Qualifications and Requirements

· High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).

· High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).

· Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented environment.

· Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.

· Ability to work with live insects and maintain attention to detail.

· Strong observation and problem-solving skills.

· Comfortable with repetitive tasks in a production/laboratory setting.

· Ability to follow written protocols and maintain accurate records.

· Forklift or equipment certification may be preferred depending on facility needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered in a nursery-style production and insect-rearing environment.

· Work is primarily performed in indoor nursery and production areas, including climate-controlled rooms, rearing areas, and workstations used for feeding, harvesting, packaging, and quality control of beneficial insects (lacewings).

· Position requires frequent pushing, pulling, and maneuvering of tall rearing racks throughout the facility.

· Must be able to work directly with animal-based feed ingredients, including ground beef, egg yolk, and liver, as part of insect-rearing and feeding processes.

· Ability to follow written protocols and maintain accurate records.

· Environmental conditions may include variable temperatures, humidity, plant material, organic substrates, insects, dust, and related odors.

· Work may occasionally be performed in an indoor warehouse, staging, or shipping/receiving environment. 

· Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented environment.

· Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.

· Ability to work with live insects and maintain attention to detail.

· Strong observation and problem-solving skills.

· Comfortable with repetitive tasks in a production/laboratory setting.

· Forklift or equipment certification may be preferred depending on facility needs.