What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Specialist Position position at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources?
Job Overview
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking a highly skilled Agricultural Specialist to join our team at Kearney REC in Parlier, CA. This career appointment will focus on performing all phases of cultural practices, including the operation of complex farm equipment, layout/installation and operation of irrigation systems, pesticide/chemical applications, leading seasonal farm labor, and assisting with the maintenance of physical plant and equipment.
Key Responsibilities:
Additional Duties:
Requirements:
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is seeking a highly skilled Agricultural Specialist to join our team at Kearney REC in Parlier, CA. This career appointment will focus on performing all phases of cultural practices, including the operation of complex farm equipment, layout/installation and operation of irrigation systems, pesticide/chemical applications, leading seasonal farm labor, and assisting with the maintenance of physical plant and equipment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform land preparation and cultural operations for row, tree, landscape and ornamental crops, including but not limited to: plowing, discing, subsoiling, leveling, bedding, fertilizing, planting, and harvesting.
- Determine proper soil and/or crop conditions to work the field or perform cultural activities. Select, setup and operate appropriate equipment and implements to achieve research project and Center goals.
- Provide plant care and maintenance including weeding, pruning, hedging, thinning of leaves and limbs, removal of trees and shrubs and harvesting of fruit.
- Perform chemical applications including pesticides and fertilizers.
- Perform layout, installation and operation of irrigation systems including 4" aluminum pipes, inline drip irrigation or micro sprinklers.
- Instruct seasonal farm labor in the performance of these activities.
- Maintain assigned records and logs for crop care activities.
Additional Duties:
- Assist with and/or perform collection of fruit, soil and plant samples for yield or other data as required by project.
- Assist with preparation of field days and conduct tours.
Requirements:
- Three years of agricultural experience with a demonstrated ability to operate heavy and/or complex agricultural equipment or a demonstrated ability to perform at a skilled level within an area of specialization.
- Obtain Qualified Applicator's Certificate within one year of hire.
- Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations.
- Skills to perform land preparation, cultivation and maintenance tasks including complex operations with tractors and equipment.
- Skills to independently select, setup and operate appropriate equipment for assigned tasks.
- Skills using computer systems including Work, Excel, Access, Outlook, and other computer programs.
- Skills to calibrate, set up and operate equipment for accurate chemical applications.
- Knowledge of plant culture.
- Knowledge of cultural practices for research in row, tree and ornamental crops.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions to complete tasks and meet project specifications.
- Ability to follow all safety procedures to maintain a safe work environment.
- Ability to follow pesticide label instructions.
- Ability to safely handle chemicals and hazardous materials.
