Agricultural Technician - Sweet Pepper

Job Description

Job Description

JOBSUMMARY: Responsible for assisting the SAI Sweet Pepper program in diverse tasks such as sowing, transplanting, crop maintenance, sanitation, pollination, harvesting, evaluation, record keeping, and seed extraction for pepper breeding program. Will also be responsible for ensuring greenhouse tasks are performed within a reasonable time. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of pepper plant management and will be able to forecast greenhouse needs including, but not limited to, tying plants, weed management, filling grow pots, filling sow trays, and being sure that items are ready when they are needed.

Most activities will be performed at the Florida Research Station and be conducted in accordance with specific directions and protocols.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Coordinates pollination and seed extraction. This includes training new workers in emasculation and pollination, being sure that the correct pollen is being used on the correct seed parents and keeping the pollination cycle running smoothly.

• Communicates any problems in greenhouses to the manager. Such problems may include irrigation malfunctions, identifying infected plants, or forecasting plant needs.
• Ensures that equipment is cleaned and ready to use when the need arises. This may include harvest crates, sow trays, seed bags, harvest bags, and seed processing equipment.
• Coordinates the harvest of greenhouse fruit; assists in field harvest. Communicates with managers about any problems that are found during both harvest and seed extraction which may include low seed production, potential fruit or seed contamination, or germinating seed.
• Executes pepper seed extraction processes. This includes training new personnel, following seed extraction protocols, maintaining a clean work environment, informing managers when chemical stocks run low, and effectively extracting pepper seeds for use in the breeding program.
• Assists in coordinating, evaluating, transplanting of off-station trials.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to do accurate, detailed work under environmental stresses and in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate well in Spanish; ability to communicate in spoken English.
• Must be able to work extra hours as assigned.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND:

• High School Diploma
• Minimum 5 years seed, agriculture experience and/or crop experience required
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Farm background desirable
• Computer experience with Microsoft Office software desired

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must have valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must have ability to perform work in varying weather conditions.

• Must be able to travel as necessary.
• Must have ability to lift over 50 pounds on a seasonal basis.
• Must be able to work with chemicals and other irritating substances.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear when required.
• Must be able to work in dusty, windy and wet conditions.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
• Occasional need for working after normal hours and/or weekends and holidays