Agricultural Assistant III

University of Florida; Hillsborough Township (NJ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida is seeking an Agricultural Assistant III to coordinate greenhouse and field production tasks and support tomato breeding research. The role involves operating tractors and fertigation systems, applying crop-protection materials, and maintaining field and greenhouse operations.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent with relevant experience, Florida pesticide license, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent with 3 years of relevant experience; substitution allowed.
• State of Florida Pesticide License.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform daily greenhouse and transplant-production operations.
• Monitor plant health, irrigation and environment; operate fertigation; apply fertilizers and crop-protection materials; sow seed; maintain transplants; refer repairs to Facilities.
• Lead field-production and crop-maintenance activities; operate tractors and implements; prepare fertilizer and chemical tank mixtures; maintain irrigation components; pesticide/herbicide applications as needed.
• Operate and maintain agricultural equipment; serve as primary trained operator of tomato harvester; follow safety rules.
• Support tomato breeding research activities: sowing, transplanting, harvesting, data collection, sample handling.
• Lead day-to-day work and planning; guide/train OPS employees and students; manage inventories and supplies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Coursework or vocational/technical training substitution allowed

Biology/agriculture/plant science coursework or degree

Tools

Tractor operation

Fertilizer/pesticide knowledge

Safety procedures

Recordkeeping

Training others in ag operations

Ability to lift 50 pounds

Job description

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Classification Title

Agricultural Assistant III

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Job Description

Coordinate and perform daily greenhouse and transplant-production operations. Monitor plant health, irrigation, and environmental conditions; operate the Dosatron fertigation system; prepare and apply fertilizers and crop-protection materials; sow seed; maintain transplants; and identify routine operational needs. Maintain greenhouse production systems and work areas; refer structural and building repairs to Facilities.

Lead and perform field-production and crop-maintenance activities for tomato breeding research. Operate tractors and implements for bed preparation, bed punching, transplanting, cultivation, and related work; prepare fertilizer and chemical tank mixtures according to approved protocols and product labels; maintain and repair routine irrigation components, including drip tape; and perform pesticide and herbicide applications appropriate to seasonal needs.

Operate, transport, inspect, and perform routine operator-level maintenance on agricultural equipment used at GCREC and off site, including tractors, trucks, trailers, transplanting equipment, and the tractor-drawn tomato harvester. Serve as a primary trained operator of the tomato harvester at the Center and, at the supervisor’s direction, on cooperating grower farms. Follow equipment, transportation, and field-safety requirements.

Support tomato breeding research activities, including seed sowing, transplanting, harvesting, fruit and plant evaluation, research data collection, seed extraction, seed processing, and organization of samples and records. Follow established research protocols and maintain accurate identification and handling of breeding materials.

Lead assigned day-to-day work and operational planning. Prioritize and assign activities to up to two OPS employees; guide and train OPS employees and students in greenhouse, field, equipment, and safety procedures; monitor completion and quality of work; maintain inventories and records; and order routine supplies needed to prevent interruptions to research operations.

Other duties as assigned.

The position works primarily outdoors and in greenhouses in heat, humidity, sun, rain, and changing weather. The employee may work around fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, dust, plants, insects, moving equipment, and uneven or muddy ground. Work requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and climbing on and off tractors and other equipment. The employee must be able to safely lift and carry materials and harvested tomato crates weighing up to 50 pounds and wear required PPE.

Salary

$19.50 per hour

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and three years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

State of Florida Pesticide License

Valid driver’s license

Preferred

• Experience supporting tomato or other vegetable-crop production or agricultural research in greenhouse and field environments.
• Working knowledge of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, product labels, chemical handling, application safety, and required recordkeeping.
• Experience safely operating tractors, trucks, trailers, sprayers, transplanting equipment, irrigation and fertigation systems, and seed-processing equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize operational needs, establish priorities, troubleshoot routine problems, and complete time-sensitive work with limited supervision.
• Experience leading work activities and training employees or students in agricultural operations, equipment use, and safety procedures.
• Ability to learn operation of specialized agricultural equipment, including a tractor-drawn tomato harvester.
• Coursework or a degree in biology, agriculture, plant science, horticulture, or a related field.

Health Assessment Required

Yes