TECHNICAL OFFICER

ESE Consulting; City of Greater Bendigo; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ESE Consulting in Australia seeks a Technical Officer / Labour Hire Supervisor for a large-scale agricultural operation. The role blends hands-on field support with technical oversight, monitoring crop performance, irrigation and pest management while supervising labour and contractors.

You will work with management and technical specialists to maintain records, provide practical guidance, and help drive safety, yield and quality outcomes across seasonal programs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, orchard or similar agricultural operations.
• Strong technical understanding of crop performance, irrigation, nutrition, pests, disease management and harvesting.
• Current driver’s licence is essential; forklift/heavy vehicle licences are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Monitor tree health, crop performance, irrigation, nutrition, pests, diseases, pruning and harvest readiness.
• Conduct field testing, sampling and technical assessments.
• Support agronomic and horticultural program implementation and monitoring.
• Collect, analyse and maintain accurate field data and technical records.
• Supervise labour hire personnel and contractors; coordinate field teams.
• Identify risks and opportunities for improvement; assist with seasonal planning.

Skills

Horticulture

Agriculture

Agronomy

Labour supervision

Education

Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy qualification

Tools

Calibration equipment

Job description

Full-Time | Agricultural Operations | Technical & Field-Based Role

We are seeking an experienced Technical Officer / Labour Hire Supervisor to support the safe, efficient and reliable delivery of agronomic, irrigation, crop nutrition, pest and disease management, pruning, harvest and crop-performance programs across a large-scale agricultural operation.

This is a practical, field-based role suited to someone with strong horticultural or agricultural knowledge who can combine technical capability with hands‑on operational support, accurate data collection and effective supervision of labour and contractors.

You will work closely with operational management and technical specialists to monitor crop performance, identify issues, maintain accurate records and provide practical advice that supports yield, fruit quality, tree health, safety and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor tree health, crop performance, irrigation, nutrition, pests, diseases, pruning requirements and harvest readiness.

Conduct required field testing, sampling and technical assessments.

Support the implementation and monitoring of agronomic and horticultural programs.

Collect, analyse and maintain accurate field data and technical records.

Monitor irrigation systems, chemical application accuracy, machinery calibration and technical processes.

Provide practical technical guidance, observations and support to employees, labour hire personnel and contractors.

Assist with training and developing the capability of field teams.

Identify crop‑performance issues, agronomic risks and opportunities for improvement.

Support seasonal planning, forecasting and operational decision‑making.

Maintain technical inventory and ensure equipment is available, calibrated and fit for purpose.

Complete required paperwork, compliance documentation and reporting.

Support labour hire coordination and ensure field teams understand work requirements, safety expectations and quality standards.

You will play an important role in maintaining high standards of safety and compliance across field operations, including:

Complying with WHS, biosecurity, environmental and chemical-use requirements.

Participating in toolbox talks, safety briefings, training and inductions.

Identifying and reporting hazards, incidents, near misses and operational risks.

Supporting safe chemical handling, irrigation, machinery use, sampling and field activities.

Ensuring appropriate PPE and safety equipment is used, maintained and stored correctly.

Supporting audits, inspections and corrective actions.

Stopping or escalating any work that cannot be completed safely.

Reporting & Administration

The role will involve regular technical and operational reporting, including:

Monthly technical reporting covering pest and disease pressures, fertiliser and chemical requirements, tree health, yield expectations, seasonal activities and harvest readiness.

Fortnightly reporting against annual production and seasonal work programs.

Reporting safety issues, incidents and significant operational concerns promptly.

Providing technical input into weekly and fortnightly operational meetings.

Identifying relevant budget variances, cost pressures and operational drivers.

Maintaining accurate chemical-use, water-use, compliance, technical and field records.

Monitoring and reporting on rework, with a strong focus on identifying the causes of errors and improving processes to make work easier and safer.

About You

You will ideally have:

Demonstrated experience in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, orchard or similar agricultural operations.

Strong technical understanding of crop performance, irrigation, nutrition, pests, disease management and harvesting.

The ability to provide practical advice and support to operational teams.

Experience supervising employees, labour hire personnel or contractors.

Strong analytical, planning, organisational and problem‑solving skills.

Confidence using technical equipment, farm machinery and calibration processes.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The ability to collect, interpret and communicate technical information accurately.

A proactive approach to identifying risks and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Licences

Qualification or certificate in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy or a related discipline is desirable.

Current driver's licence is essential.

Relevant machinery, forklift and/or heavy vehicle licences are highly regarded.

Chemical handling accreditation such as ChemCert is required or must be maintained where applicable.

First Aid and WHS training are desirable.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

Accurate and timely technical records, field observations and reports.

Strong crop health, performance and fruit quality outcomes.

Effective irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease management.

Agronomic and seasonal work programs being delivered as planned.

Accurate chemical‑use, water‑use and compliance records.

Reliable machinery calibration and application processes.

Effective supervision and support of labour hire and field teams.

Early identification and escalation of crop, safety and operational risks.

Reduced avoidable rework and improved productivity and efficiency.

Constructive participation in meetings and continuous improvement activities.

If you have a strong agricultural or horticultural background, enjoy working in the field and have the technical skills to monitor crop performance while supporting operational teams, we would like to hear from you.

Please note: Only Australian residents with unrestricted working rights will be considered for this role. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia on a permanent basis. Unfortunately, candidates requiring visa sponsorship or holding temporary work visas are not eligible for consideration.