Farm Operations Technical Manager

University of Florida•Hillsborough, NJ

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Consults with research and extension personnel in planning, developing, and implementing field research programs at GCREC. This includes the incorporation and evaluation of developed robotics and artificial intelligence systems, giving faculty feedback on their use and performance. Uses work-order and UFarm system, prepares farm operations reports, and helps develop and manage a farm budget. Implements and maintains electronic farm records, including pesticide usage, farm supplies, purchases of supplies, and assists in annual inventory evaluation; operates GPS, computer systems, and newly acquired farm technologies related to the implementation of robotics and artificial intelligence systems in agriculture. Employee independently supervises agricultural assistants and OPS personnel on the farm crew in fumigating, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, irrigating, applying pesticides and other treatments, maintaining crop systems, and harvesting of a variety of experimental agricultural crops in accordance with established experiment protocols. Provides training to other employees in the operation of all farm and safety equipment, including robotics and artificial intelligence systems. Plans work objectives and workloads for GCREC farm crew members and evaluates these employees through established evaluation criteria; responsibilities include meeting regularly with employees to ensure pre-established criteria are met. Oversees and manages assigned farm equipment and facilities; works with maintenance and facility personnel to maintain facilities, tractors, vehicles, and all specialized and robotic equipment under his/her direct control in good working order. Ensures farm operations and personnel comply with pertinent regulatory and worker safety requirements; maintains safety & training records for farm personnel. Interacts with vendors who conduct equipment repairs to unit equipment or grow crops on unit lands and lead in the development and implementation of required contracts/agreements. Prepares and submits (or maintains) records required by the EPA, USDA and SWFWMD in the normal operation of the farm. Responds to emergencies, such as crop freeze protection, pump failures, and power outages, student housing emergencies, (at all potential hours). Additional duties as needed and assigned, such as assisting with GCREC activities, events, and upkeep. Will report regularly to the Associate Center Director. Will supervise TEAMS and OPS employed on the farm crew. Incumbent must acquire and maintain the appropriate restricted use pesticide applicator licenses to apply or work with the application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fumigants and other pesticides. Assists in coordination and implementation of field days, farm demonstrations and visiting groups. Coordinates farm-related activities with outside vendors.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Five years of relevant experience managing an agricultural operation and supervising staff.
Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required number of years of experience.
Must acquire and maintain the appropriate restricted use pesticide applicator licenses to apply or work with the application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fumigants and other pesticides.

Nice To Haves

B.S. or M.S. in Horticulture, Agronomy, Ag Engineering or other closely related discipline.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective and cordial working relationship with others.
Ability to understand and effectively follow written experimental protocols.
Ability to communicate and delegate to supervised personnel effectively.
Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure completion of work assignments.
Training and experience in managing modern farming operations and use of modern farm equipment.
Ability to plan and direct a multifaceted farm-research center operation that meets commercial agricultural standards.
Ability to operate modern farm equipment, information management systems, and relevant computer software.
Experience working with novel technologies, crops, or production practices.

Responsibilities

Planning, developing, and implementing field research programs at GCREC.
Incorporating and evaluating developed robotics and artificial intelligence systems.
Giving faculty feedback on the use and performance of robotics and AI systems.
Preparing farm operations reports and developing/managing farm budgets.
Implementing and maintaining electronic farm records (pesticide usage, supplies, purchases, inventory).
Operating GPS, computer systems, and new farm technologies.
Supervising agricultural assistants and OPS personnel in various farm tasks (fumigating, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, irrigating, applying pesticides, maintaining crop systems, harvesting).
Providing training on farm and safety equipment, including robotics and AI systems.
Planning work objectives and workloads for farm crew members and evaluating employees.
Overseeing and managing assigned farm equipment and facilities.
Working with maintenance personnel to maintain facilities, tractors, vehicles, and specialized/robotic equipment.
Ensuring farm operations and personnel comply with regulatory and worker safety requirements.
Maintaining safety and training records for farm personnel.
Interacting with vendors for equipment repairs and crop growth on unit lands.
Leading the development and implementation of required contracts/agreements with vendors.
Preparing and submitting/maintaining records required by EPA, USDA, and SWFWMD.
Responding to emergencies (crop freeze protection, pump failures, power outages, student housing emergencies).
Assisting with GCREC activities, events, and upkeep.
Supervising TEAMS and OPS employed on the farm crew.
Acquiring and maintaining appropriate restricted use pesticide applicator licenses.
Assisting in coordination and implementation of field days, farm demonstrations, and visiting groups.
Coordinating farm-related activities with outside vendors.