Farm Operations Technical Manager

University of Florida•Hillsborough, FL

2d•$60,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

This 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. The role involves using work-order and UFarm systems, preparing farm operations reports, and helping develop and manage a farm budget. The employee will implement and maintain electronic farm records, including pesticide usage, farm supplies, purchases, and assist in annual inventory evaluation. They will operate GPS, computer systems, and newly acquired farm technologies related to the implementation of robotics and artificial intelligence systems in agriculture. The employee independently supervises agricultural assistants and OPS personnel on the farm crew in various agricultural tasks according to established experiment protocols. They will provide training to other employees in the operation of all farm and safety equipment, including robotics and artificial intelligence systems. This role plans work objectives and workloads for GCREC farm crew members and evaluates these employees. Responsibilities include meeting regularly with employees to ensure pre-established criteria are met. The position oversees and manages assigned farm equipment and facilities, working with maintenance and facility personnel to maintain equipment and facilities in good working order. The role ensures farm operations and personnel comply with pertinent regulatory and worker safety requirements and maintains safety & training records for farm personnel. The position interacts with vendors who conduct equipment repairs or grow crops on unit lands and leads in the development and implementation of required contracts/agreements. The role prepares and submits (or maintains) records required by the EPA, USDA and SWFWMD in the normal operation of the farm. The position 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. The incumbent must acquire and maintain the appropriate restricted use pesticide applicator licenses. 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 and 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.
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.

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

Consults with research and extension personnel in planning, developing, and implementing field research programs at GCREC.
Incorporates and evaluates 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.
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.
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).
Assists in coordination and implementation of field days, farm demonstrations and visiting groups.
Coordinates farm-related activities with outside vendors.