Agricultural Assistant III

University of Florida•Hillsborough, FL

About The Position

Coordinate daily greenhouse and transplant-production operations, including monitoring plant health, irrigation, and environmental conditions; operating the Dosatron fertigation system; preparing and applying fertilizers and crop-protection materials; sowing seed; maintaining transplants; and identifying operational needs. Maintain greenhouse production systems and work areas, referring structural and building repairs to Facilities. Lead and perform field-production and crop-maintenance activities for tomato breeding research. Operate tractors and implements for bed preparation, bed punching, transplanting, cultivation, and related tasks. Prepare fertilizer and chemical tank mixtures according to approved protocols and product labels, maintain and repair routine irrigation components such as drip tape, and apply pesticides and herbicides as needed for the season. Operate, transport, inspect, and perform routine operator-level maintenance on agricultural equipment used at GCREC and off site, including tractors, trucks, trailers, transplanting equipment, and a tractor-drawn tomato harvester. Serve as a primary trained operator of the tomato harvester at the Center and, at the supervisor’s direction, on cooperating grower farms. Follow equipment, transportation, and field-safety requirements. Support tomato breeding research through seed sowing, transplanting, harvesting, fruit and plant evaluation, research data collection, seed extraction and processing, and organization of samples and records. Follow established research protocols and maintain accurate identification and handling of breeding materials. Lead assigned day-to-day work and operational planning. Prioritize and assign activities to up to two OPS employees, guide and train OPS employees and students in greenhouse, field, equipment, and safety procedures, monitor work completion and quality, maintain inventories and records, and order routine supplies needed to prevent interruptions to research operations. Other duties as assigned. The position is primarily outdoors and in greenhouses, in heat, humidity, sun, rain, and changing weather. The employee may work around fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, dust, plants, insects, moving equipment, and uneven or muddy ground. Work requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and climbing on and off tractors and other equipment. The employee must safely lift and carry materials and harvested tomato crates weighing up to 50 pounds and wear required PPE. A health assessment is required.

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.
State of Florida Pesticide License.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to safely lift and carry materials and harvested tomato crates weighing up to 50 pounds and wear required PPE.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and climbing on and off tractors and other equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting tomato or other vegetable-crop production or agricultural research in greenhouse and field environments.
Working knowledge of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, product labels, chemical handling, application safety, and required recordkeeping.
Experience safely operating tractors, trucks, trailers, sprayers, transplanting equipment, irrigation and fertigation systems, and seed-processing equipment.
Demonstrated ability to recognize operational needs, establish priorities, troubleshoot routine problems, and complete time-sensitive work with limited supervision.
Experience leading work activities and training employees or students in agricultural operations, equipment use, and safety procedures.
Ability to learn operation of specialized agricultural equipment, including a tractor-drawn tomato harvester.
Coursework or a degree in biology, agriculture, plant science, horticulture, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and perform daily greenhouse and transplant-production operations.
Monitor plant health, irrigation, and environmental conditions; operate fertigation equipment; prepare and apply fertilizers and crop-protection materials; sow seed; maintain transplants; and identify routine operational needs.
Maintain greenhouse production systems and work areas; refer structural and building repairs to Facilities.
Lead and perform field-production and crop-maintenance activities for tomato breeding research.
Operate tractors and implements for bed preparation, bed punching, transplanting, cultivation, and related work.
Prepare fertilizer and chemical tank mixtures according to approved protocols and product labels; maintain and repair routine irrigation components; and apply pesticides and herbicides as seasonally needed.
Operate, transport, inspect, and perform routine operator-level maintenance on agricultural equipment used at GCREC and off site.
Serve as a primary trained operator of the tractor-drawn tomato harvester at the Center and, at the supervisor’s direction, on cooperating grower farms.
Follow equipment, transportation, and field-safety requirements.
Support tomato breeding research, including sowing, transplanting, harvesting, fruit and plant evaluation, data collection, seed extraction and processing, and organization of samples and records.
Follow research protocols and maintain accurate identification and handling of breeding materials.
Lead assigned daily work and operational planning; prioritize and assign activities to up to two OPS employees; guide and train OPS employees and students; monitor work quality and completion; maintain inventories and records; and order routine supplies.
Perform other duties as assigned.