Principal Agricultural Technician Job Listing at University of California in Davis, CA (Job ID 62678)

Description

Job Description

Under the direction of the Agriculture Supervisor, the incumbent will primarily manage field activities and operations related to water systems, electrical systems, weather monitoring devices and associated field infrastructure in support of agricultural research. Act as a lead for center staff activities, perform general field operation tasks and operate a variety of agricultural equipment and associated implements. Coordinate the ordering of supplies including, but not limited to fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation parts. 

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

Pay Scale: $25.05/hour to $29.89/hour.

Job Posting Close Date: 
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 01/03/2024.

Key Responsibilities:

80%

Field Operations

 • Install and maintain research/field plots in collaboration between supervisor and researchers.

 • Evaluate requests made by researchers to determine course of action and implement scheduled activity.

 • Collect soil, plant and water samples. Maintain records and logs.

 • Install, remove and repair field infrastructure including irrigation systems, fences and electrical systems.

 • Operate irrigation equipment including pumps, pipes, valves, timers, sprinklers and alarms; weather stations.

 • Operate small and large wheel tractors and specialized farm equipment such as a trencher and backhoe.

 • Select, set-up, calibrate and operate equipment including hand, power and earth moving equipment such as a backhoe and bulldozer.

 • Assist supervisor with short and long-range plans for supplies, equipment and personnel.

10%

Maintenance

 • Maintain irrigation equipment including pumps, pipes, valves, timers, sprinklers and alarms; maintain weather stations.

 • Monitor farm equipment and alert mechanic to regular and special maintenance of equipment including tractors, ATV's, and farming implements.

10%

Miscellaneous

 • Assist with the preparation, conducting, cleaning up of field days and tours.

 • Maintain permanent records for farm equipment operations including operation dates, seed and fertilizer rates and other field activities.

 • Maintain field pesticide applications, records, inventory, and posting.

 • Conduct monthly pesticide reporting.

 • Maintain safety records, training file(s) and related documentation.

 • Enforce all health and safety, environmental, and hazardous substance programs as required by Federal, State and University regulations and policies.

Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations. 
• Five years of agricultural experience in all phases of cultural operations including heavy and/or complex equipment operation and/or supervisory responsibility; or a demonstrated ability to perform in a highly skilled specialization.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Skills to calibrate, set up and operate equipment for chemical application.
• Skills to read directions, gauges, monitors, and gather and record data.
• Experience to anticipate, estimate or project necessary supplies and materials (quantity, type, cost, vendor, etc.).
• Skills to operate basic field and shop hand, bench and power tools.
• Skills to understand and communicate with supervisors and leads, researchers, co-workers, visitors, etc.
• Organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage workload to meet targets.
• Ability to use computer programs to plan irrigation, research information, maintain records and communicate with supervisor and researchers.

Preferred Skills:

• Skills to identify, select equipment, tools, implements and appliances.
• Experience with setting up GPS equipment.
• Knowledge of research activities.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Overtime and occasional weekend work as needed, usually on short notice to meet operational needs may be requested.
• 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.

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.