Agricultural Technician - Exeter, CA, Job ID 84429

AgUpdate; Exeter (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in Exeter, CA is seeking an Agricultural Technician to support field operations in diverse crop environments. You will help set up drip, furrow, flood and sprinkler irrigation, operate tractors and trucks, and assist with routine equipment maintenance and safety checks.

The role involves assisting with chemical mixing, pesticide safety, and occasional support for tours, field days, and conferences.

Qualifications

• Experience operating agricultural equipment in field crops.
• Ability to identify and set up irrigation systems (drip, furrow, flood, sprinkler).
• Knowledge of safe work practices for field trials and chemical applications.
• Understanding of cultural practices for field, row and vegetable crops.
• Familiarity with pesticide regulations and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist with general agricultural operations in field, row and vegetable crops.
• Set up irrigation systems and operate farm equipment and vehicles.
• Assist with occasional data collection, tours, and field days.

Skills

Equipment operation

Hand tools

Power tools

Safe field practices

Pesticide regulations

Tools

Tractors

Sprayers

Job description

Agricultural Technician - Exeter, CA, Job ID 84429

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Director, this position will assist with general agricultural operations in field, row and vegetable crops. Set up drip, furrow, flood and sprinkler irrigation. Operate tractors, implements, trucks, and small handheld tools and equipment. Set-up, calibrate and adjust farm equipment. Conduct pre-use inspections of vehicles and equipment. Assist with mixing and applying agricultural chemicals. Assist with general cleanup, repair and maintenance of equipment and other facilities. Assist with occasional support of tours, grower field days, and other workshops and conferences.

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

Pay Scale: $21.85/hour to $26.12/hour

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 03/06/2026.

Key Responsibilities

• 60%Assist with general agricultural operations in field, row and vegetable crops. Set up drip, furrow, flood and sprinkler irrigation. Assist with mixing and applying agricultural chemicals. Spray chemicals using hand and PTO driven sprayers.
• 20%Operate tractors, implements, trucks, and small handheld tools and equipment. Make adjustment or repairs, report discrepancies. Set-up, calibrate and adjust farm equipment. Conduct pre-use inspections of vehicles and equipment. Assist with general cleanup, repair and maintenance of equipment and facilities
• 20%Assist with the occasional set up of research plots and data collection. Assist with occasional support of tours, grower field days, and other workshops and conferences.

Requirements

• Skills to determine use and maintenance of equipment.
• Skills to operate hand and power tools.
• Skills to understand and apply safe work practices for research field trials, chemical applications.
• Knowledge of cultural practices for field, row and vegetable crops.
• Knowledge of pesticide regulations, safety procedures, and methods of application.

Preferred Skills

• Skills to operate light and medium size trucks, tractors and attached implements.
• Skills to assist with mixing, calibration and application of agricultural sprays; and to operate pressurized hand and PTO-driven sprayers.
• Ability to read and understand pesticide labels and MSDS's
• Ability to record field operation and spray application data.
• Skills to communicate verbally and in writing
• Skills to interpret and understand all manuals, directives, and guidelines pertinent to job functions.

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.

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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace