Agricultural Assistant III (Deng Lab)

Classification Title

Agricultural Assistant III

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Job Description

• Consult with and timely report to faculty, biological scientists, and project managers
• Coordinate field projects with farm managers and farm crew
• Train, coordinate, supervise and lead Agricultural Assistant I/II, OPS personnel, and other workers, and independently perform projects in the fields
• Train, coordinate, supervise and lead Agricultural Assistant I/II, OPS personnel, and other workers, and independently perform projects in the greenhouse, headhouse, shade houses and growth rooms
• Independently implement and perform pest management:
  • 1) Scouting and reporting of plants for insects, diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiencies, and other issues;
  • 2) Prescribe pesticides to be used, submit pesticide application requests;
  • 3) Applying pesticides in the fields, greenhouses, shadehouses, and growth rooms;
  • 4) Maintaining and reporting of pesticide inventory records and spray records in a timely fashion.
• Operating and maintaining farm equipment and machinery; operating and maintaining farm vehicles; maintaining and submitting vehicle records; order materials and supplies as needed; contribute to or prepare reports to faculty.

Expected Salary

$19.15 – $21.55/hour commensurate with education and experience

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Preferred

• Self-motivated, committed, responsible, reliable, detail-oriented, having strong work ethics and good leadership skills.
• High school diploma or higher degree related to agriculture or horticulture.
• Experienced in growing, caring, managing, pruning and trellising caneberries
• Able to set up trellises and high tunnels.
• At least 4 years of experience in growing, managing, producing and protecting horticultural crops.
• Willing and able to work outside daily in all weather conditions (This position is 100% outside).
• At least 4 years of experience in scouting horticultural crops for diseases, insect pests, weeds and nutrient deficiencies and correctly identify common insects, diseases, weeds and nutrient deficiencies.
• At least 2 years of experience in prescribing correct pesticides, dosages, combinations, and adjuvants to protect horticultural crops.
• Willing and able to apply pesticides regularly. (Must have pesticide license).
• Experienced with pesticide application equipment, its maintenance, repair, calibration, and operation.
• Experienced with field and greenhouse crop production, including setting up trellises, training and pruning plants, and mowing weeds.
• Highly experienced in using field and greenhouse equipment, including planters, tractors, pesticide applicators, electronic and mechanical balances, EC and pH probes.
• Highly experienced in laying out and completing experiments with only minimal supervision, collecting all necessary data, and taking photos.
• Experienced with maintaining and fixing and fertigation systems.
• Experienced with leading, supervising, and coordinating team members.
• Able to manually lift and carry metal or wooden poles, metal wire, plastic tubing over 50 lbs per item.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please upload resume and cover letter and 3 references in ONE document.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran\’s Preference Page for more specific information.

This is a time-limited position.

POST OFFER HEALTH ASSESSMENT.

Driver license required.

Pesticide applicator licenses (within three months of hire).

Certification to operate tractors, sprayers, Genie Lift, and other farm machinery within three months of hire.

Criminal background check required.

Exceptional Benefits

UF provides various leave programs based on an employee’s salary plan, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, personal leave days, and paid family leave. In addition to paid time off, the University of Florida offers a very competitive benefits package.

This requisition has been reposted. Previous applicants are free to withdraw their previous application and reapply.

Health Assessment Required: Yes, post offer