Senior Agricultural Technician Job Listing at University of California in Davis, CA (Job ID 63336)

Description

Job Description

Under the general direction of the supervisor, perform a wide variety of cultural operations, such as, equipment operation, chemical application, harvest and irrigation to establish and maintain research plots for vegetables, tree and vine crops, field crops, and small grains. Operate a wide range of equipment and implements for various field operations, and serve as lead person in data collection and harvest operations. Maintain and repair equipment and facilities and assist with field days and educational activities associated with research projects and ongoing operations.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $22.87/hour to $26.78/hour

Job Posting Close Date: 
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 01/19/2024.

Key Responsibilities:

45%

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS 

• Set up and operate all types of farming equipment and standard implements, such as discs, chisels, bed shapers, and furrowers.
• Measure out and set up fields for planting operations.
• Set up and operate specialized equipment such as planters, transplanters, cultivators, and harvesters.
• Calibrate fertilizer application equipment.
• Apply fertilizers.
• Operate planting and cultivating equipment.
• Provide direction to casual labor crews.
• Place and remove sprinkler and furrow irrigation systems, turn on and off microirrigation systems, and flush filters.
• Monitor and control water flow rates and amounts to demonstration plots and uniform crops. 
• Assist in maintenance and repairs of concrete, PVC pipe, and sprinkler systems.

25%

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

• Assist with servicing and repair of farm equipment. 
• Modify/build specialized research equipment
• Assist with building and facilities repair.

15%

PESTICIDE APPLICATION

• Calibrate chemical application equipment.
• Weigh out chemicals, and mix and apply.

10%

CROP HARVEST AND RECORD KEEPING

• Harvest research plots, and collect samples. 
• Record data.
• Serve as lead person during harvests. Provide oversight and daily direction for labor crews.
• Maintain records of all aspects of field operations, chemical applications and irrigation applications.
• Record all service and maintenance data on equipment.
• Record own work hours and labor crew hours spent on projects.

5%

OTHER

• Keep up to date on training, license certification, etc.
• Other tasks as assigned

Requirements:

• Skills to perform land preparation, cultivation, and maintenance tasks including complex operations with tractors and equipment. 
• Skills to operate standard trade tools to perform calibration, maintenance and repair on equipment and facilities.   
• Experience in placing and monitoring furrow, sprinkler and drip irrigation systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Skills to independently select, set up and operate appropriate equipment for assigned tasks. 
• Experience in performing cultural practices in and row, field and vegetable crops. 
• Skills in all types of chemical applications. 
• Mathematical skills to determine chemical application rates.
• Knowledge of cultural practices in orchards, vineyards, field crops, row and vegetable crops in an academic research environment.
• Experience operating and managing irrigation water, fertilizer and pesticide applications. 
• Experience reading and understanding Local, State and Federal policies, regulations and procedures, and University policies and procedures preferred. 
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Skills to exercise judgment.
• Experience organizing work assignments and meeting deadlines.
• Experience with physical plant operations and preventative maintenance such as painting, minor construction or building repairs.

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.
• 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.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

This position will promote, in all ways consistent with the other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the Affirmative Action goals established by the Division.  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Internal Candidates: Review the job posting and click the internal applicant link to apply. Use the same credentials used to login to UCPath to access the internal UC ANR job postings in order to apply.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.

External Candidates:  You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Review the job posting and click the external applicant link to apply. Click the 'Register Here' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.