Agricultural Assistant II

Classification Title:

Agricultural Assistant II

Job Description:

General Agricultural Assistant Duties

Agricultural Assistant II is expected to partner directly with Farm Manager and Farm Supervisors to complete specific Research and Extension programmatic duties including, but not limited to, the following: 

- Perform in-field procedures using a variety of equipment for field, greenhouse, or lab experiments. Driving will be required for this role.

- Maintain records on crops, plants, or experiments. 

- Coordinate maintenance and operation of farm equipment. 

- Serve as co-lead for farm construction and maintenance projects. 

- Document crop and weather conditions and recommend timing for planting, cultivation, and harvesting. 

- May train other workers in farm tasks.

- Install, maintain, and repair all irrigation and sprinkler systems.

- Maintain roads, grounds, supplies, and move equipment.

- Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush. 

- Serve as essential personnel during emergencies. Expected to be available to prepare for a storm, provide facility protection during the storm, and take the first steps towards restoring normal operations. 

 Row Crop Spray Technician Duties 

Incumbent will oversee daily integrated pest management across HAEC subunit facilities. This position includes, but is not limited to, the following duties: 

- Perform chemical and fertilizer applications on assigned areas for weeds, insects, and disease. Prepare and apply proper herbicides, insecticides, or fungicide mixtures. Apply dry, granular, and liquid fertilizers to turf, ornamentals, horticultural, and agronomic crops. 

- Monitor the health of assigned areas and plants as well as insect populations and diseases. 

- Maintain proper documentation as required by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as university policy and procedures. 

- Ensure all chemical storage, transportation and disposal are complete in compliance with regulations and product requirements. 

- Remove weeds mechanically and manually where needed.

- Prepare disease plant samples for laboratory submission and analysis. 

- Interact with Assistant Director, Farm Manager, and Farm Supervisors to manage buildings and grounds, office space, greenhouses, irrigation wells, pumps, etc. 

- Co-Supervise all unit equipment resources, especially spray applicator equipment.

- Work with Farm Manager, Director, Assistant Director and Farm Supervisor to 

develop strategies for integrated pest management decisions. 

Educational Event Support 

Agricultural Assistant II will work directly with Assistant Director, Farm Manager and Farm Supervisors to structure and promote educational Extension events (e.g., Field Days). Agricultural Assistant II will work closely with Assistant Director, Farm Manager and Farm Supervisors to assist with providing support to and working with other unit, county, or state personnel to facilitate extension educational programs across all HAEC sub-unit facilities.

Other 

Incumbent will perform all duties as required to meet unit goals and objectives.

Expected Salary:

$15.87 - $18.22 per hour. Commensurate with education and experience.

Minimum Requirements:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Stellar communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated strength in organization and efficiency meeting deadlines.

• In-depth experience supporting research farming operations. 

• Moderate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Experience with digital facility management tools a plus.

• Effective communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.