AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III - 42004444

State of Florida • Winter Haven, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position will assist in plant care and maintenance in the Winter Haven Florida Citrus Arboretum along with the general care and maintenance of the Dundee Biological Control Facility and Cowperthwaite Building grounds. This position will assist in the Citrus Budwood greenhouses as needed. This position will also oversee pesticide safety training and recordkeeping for the facility.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and must pass post-employment physical examinations to determine medical fitness for respirator and/or SCBA use.
• Must obtain Worker Protection Standard (WPS) trainer certification within six months of appointment and maintain throughout employment in this position.
• Knowledge of citriculture.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.
• Knowledge of pesticide use and safety training and proper recordkeeping requirements.
• Skill in the use of basic lawn and landscape tools and equipment.
• Skill in the use hand, power and bench tools.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain gas-powered equipment.
• Ability to follow instructions and determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interacts with the public and others in a friendly and courteous manner.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 50-pound objects and bend repetitiously.

Responsibilities

• General care of the Florida Citrus Arboretum and other assigned facilities which includes, but not limited to, detecting and monitoring pest populations, planting trees, trimming trees, removal of trees, mowing, fertilizing, watering, picking of fruit, seed extraction, calibration/spraying of pesticides/herbicides/fungicides and checking irrigation system(s).
• Inspect tree signs for damage, faded print, and ensure they are accurately placed for each tree. Replace signs as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate tours of the Arboretum as needed.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current citrus varieties planted in the Citrus Arboretum.
• Safely operate Tractor, Airblast sprayer, Herbicide Boom, Tractor Mower, Zero Turn Lawn Mower, John Deere Gator ATV, Handheld Sprayer, Pressure Washer, Push Mower, String Trimmer, Edger, Blower, Chainsaw, and other power equipment as needed.
• Perform routine inspections, minor maintenance, repairs, and complete proper documentation on the equipment used for lawn/irrigation maintenance.
• General care and maintenance of grounds which includes, but is not limited to, shrub trimming, ornamental pruning, daily sidewalk, and parking lot clearing, litter and trash removal, weed removal, leaf pick-up and removal, mulching, planting trees and shrubs, ornamentals and flowers, campus fertilization, grass mowing, trimming and maintaining trees as needed.
• General plant care and maintenance in the Citrus Budwood Greenhouses as needed including but not limited to, plant propagation, pruning, trimming, watering, and fertilizing.
• Detecting and monitoring pest populations, spraying of pesticides as needed.
• Utilizes the correct procedures for labeling/tracking of plants to maintain varietal integrity.
• Uses special care to prevent contamination of plant material with pathogens and practices approved decontamination procedures.
• Assists with the maintenance of greenhouse equipment, including sprayers, filters, benches, coolers, heaters, vents.
• Assists with cleaning tasks such as washing pots, sweeping, and use of a blower for removing debris.
• Assists with weed control when needed.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current citrus varieties housed within the greenhouses.
• Perform annual Worker Protection Standard (WPS) pesticide handler training for employees.
• Prepares documentation and maintains necessary records for training, personal protective equipment (PPE), pesticide use at the facility and ensures up-to-date pesticide labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are kept in the appropriate binders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management, which may include occasional travel to other facilities.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED