Agricultural Assistant II
About The Position
This role involves preparing and maintaining research field plots, collecting various samples, quantifying pest populations, recording detailed observations, and assisting with experimental designs and harvesting. The position requires general logistical, maintenance, training, outreach, inventory, administrative, and non-critical research support. This includes organizing supplies, maintaining workspace, preparing extension materials, transporting items, maintaining tools, training helpers, handling administrative tasks, assisting with inventories, participating in meetings and safety activities, and performing supplemental research tasks. The role also requires operating agricultural equipment and applying pesticides.
Requirements
- A high school diploma or equivalent and two years of relevant experience.
- Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Must have Pesticide applicators license.
- Must have Valid Florida driver’s license.
- Must have Experience operating tractors and associated agricultural accessories.
- Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in Florida weather, including heat, humidity, and sun exposure.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials associated with field plot preparation and maintenance.
- Ability to work normal work hours of 8am-430pm Monday - Friday.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, biology, plant science, entomology, plant pathology, or a related field.
Responsibilities
- Prepare research field plots, including soil preparation, bed formation, laying plastic mulch, installing irrigation lines, and assisting with soil sterilization using ASD treatment.
- Collect plant tissue, soil samples, and insect samples at required intervals, ensuring sample integrity during transport to the laboratory.
- Maintain field plots throughout the season, including weed control, irrigation adjustments, plot repairs, and general upkeep of plant and mulch structures.
- Quantify whitefly populations using standardized methods (leaf counts, sticky traps, vacuum sampling, or visual ratings), and record population trends throughout crop cycles.
- Record field observations including plant growth metrics, disease incidence, symptom progression, whitefly abundance, and environmental conditions.
- Assist with plot layout, flagging, labeling, and mapping for experimental designs and support harvesting and post-harvest sample processing as needed.
- Maintain field-related inventories including mulch films, irrigation supplies, fertilizer, soil amendments, and field tools.
- Follow all safety protocols for chemical handling, equipment use, and field operations in warm/humid Florida conditions.
- Provide general logistical, maintenance, training, outreach, inventory, administrative, and non-critical research support.
- Operate tractors, tractor accessories, utility vehicles, and other agricultural field equipment safely and according to UF guidelines.
- Apply pesticides as needed.
Benefits
- competitive benefits package
- generous leave accruals
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
