Principal Agricultural Technician - Irvine, CA, Job ID 73834
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Job Description South Coast Research and Extension Center was established by the University in 1956 as a representative site for agricultural and horticultural research in California's south coastal plain-temperate climatic zone. Located on 200 acres of deep, moderately sloped, alluvial fan soil, the Center and its mild winter climate are conducive to farming a wide range of crops including subtropicals as well as ornamentals for the urban landscape. South Coast REC serves as a regional field laboratory for UC scientists to conduct agricultural and natural resources management research and extend research-based information to a wide spectrum of audiences. The Center provides land, irrigation water, labor, equipment, and other facilities, and it serves as a repository for germplasm collections of many subtropical plants. From 1918 to the Present a unique partnership between the University of California, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the County of Orange, Cooperative Extension was originally created to provide vital research-based information to growers and their families in this agriculturally rich community. Today, over 80 years later, Orange County has changed from a wide expanse of citrus groves and walnut trees to an industrial and residential megalopolis. However, while the economy and lifestyles throughout the South Coast region have changed, the need for education and training has not. With a direct link to the research base of the University of California, Cooperative Extension continues to meet the dynamic needs of Orange County.
Position Summary:
Under direction of the Principal Superintendent of Agriculture, manage all aspects of the production of agricultural row and orchard crops utilized for research and extension purposes. Act as a lead for seasonal labor and center staff activities; perform general farming tasks, pest control activities, calculations and calibrations; and operate a variety of agricultural equipment and associated implements. Order supplies including but not limited to fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation parts. Provide support for regulatory pesticide activities and recordkeeping.
This position is a career appointment that 100% fixed.
Pay Scale: $25.77/hour to $30.79/hour
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/11/2024.
Key Responsibilities:
85%
-Act as a lead for all agricultural production activities.
-Coordinate with superintendent tasks such as irrigation, planting, and harvesting utilizing season labor and other center staff.
-Install and maintain research plots in collaboration with superintendent and researcher. Convey researcher requests to superintendent.
-Perform land preparation and cultural operations including but not limited to plowing, discing, sub-soiling, leveling, planting, harvesting, pruning, irrigating, mowing, and plant removal.
-Determine soil and/or crop conditions.
-Evaluate requests made by researchers to determine course of action and implement scheduled activity.
-Collect soil, plant and water samples. Maintain records and logs.
-Monitor plots for pest infestations and determine eradication methods, including but not limited to trapping, baiting and exclusion.
-Ability to mix and apply chemical treatments, such as pesticides and fertilizers.
-Knowledge of equipment calibration procedures.
-Maintain supply inventory including fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation parts. Provide written complete requests to supervisor for approval.
-Perform safety training for seasonal labor and center staff, when necessary, for specific tasks in area of responsibility.
-Select, set up, calibrate, and operate equipment including hand, power, and earth-moving equipment such as a backhoe and bulldozer.
-Operate small and large wheel tractors and specialized farm equipment.
-Monitor and perform routine inspections of farm equipment. Notify maintenance staff and superintendent of any maintenance and repair needs. If required, conduct minor repairs on large and small equipment following consultation with superintendent.
15%
-Assist in maintain chemical inventory records and the filing of monthly Pesticide Use Reports with the Orange County Ag Commissioner's Office. (OCACO).
-Assist in obtaining Restricted Use Material Permits and file Notices of Intent with OCACO in collaboration with superintendent.
-Assist other center staff and researchers regarding pest identification and treatment.
-Assist with the preparation, conduction, cleaning up of field days and tours.
-When required, assist with cultural and center activities not normally assigned.
Requirements:
Skills to perform land preparation, cultivation and maintenance task, to select, set up, repair, maintain and operate a wide variety of complex farming equipment including tractors and implements. Skills to identify pests and perform control measures. Skills to calibrate, set up and operate equipment for chemical applications. Knowledge of regulatory pesticide requirements. Experience to anticipate, estimate or project necessary supplies and materials (quantity, type, cost, vendor, etc.). Skills to operate various tools. Verbal and written communication skills. Mathematical skills to perform calculations. Organizational skills to prioritize tasks and mange workload to meet targets. Knowledge of agricultural crops production practices. Knowledge of research activities. Ability to use computer programs to plan irrigations, research information, maintain records and communicate with supervisor and researchers. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to read and interpret plot maps to assist researchers. Ability to follow research protocols (sampling, harvesting, ect.) established by researchers and/or superintendent. Obtain and maintain a Forklift Operator Certificate. Obtain Qualified Applicators Certificate within one year of hire.
Preferred Skills:
Experience working with both large and small plots, particularly in a research situation.
Special Conditions of Employment:
Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies. Overtime and occasional weekend work as needed, usually on short notice to meet operational needs may be requested. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
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