The University of Georgia
Overview
Posting Number: S14217P Working Title: Assistant Farm Manager - Chavez (2) Department: CAES-Horticulture Position Summary
The position provides research support to the stone fruit and pecan research projects at the USDA-ARS Fruit and Tree Nut research Lab located at Byron, GA. This position assists in one or more phases of the research projects by performing primarily independent farming duties in pecan and peach orchard settings, including operation of farm tractors with associated implements/attachments and other heavy equipment, pesticide sprayer calibration and application, mowing, planting, harvesting, and equipment repair. Responsibilities include scouting orchards for disease and pest issues, monitoring plant and soil nutrient levels, assisting in planning of applications, maintaining and monitoring irrigation systems, and creating schedules for planting, irrigation, spraying, fertilizing, pruning, training and planting orchards. Significant experience in operating tractors (>= 50 horsepower) and implementing farm management procedures such as pesticide sprays, mowing, planting, harvesting and heavy equipment repair are required. This is a grant-funded position with continued employment beyond 08/31/2026 based on the needs of the project as well as available funding and satisfactory job performance and progress. Responsibilities
Mowing, weed eating, herbicide applications, fence repair and installation Maintain equipment used in the field including tractors, mowers, string trimmers, backpack sprayers, motorized or battery-operated sprayers, tillers and hand tools; inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning and coordinate maintenance or repairs Collection of soil samples, fertilizer applications, field preparation, planting and clean-up of field experiments; execute seeding plans for the upcoming season; monitor weather conditions, record data and manage the irrigation system; keep records of trees and planting blocks Create schedules to operate equipment to prepare for plot turnover, irrigation, spraying and pruning Report field evaluations to the team in planning irrigation, mowing, pests and equipment care; capable of working a flexible schedule as workload requires Percentage of time allocation:
50% for the first set of duties; 25% for soil and field management tasks; 15% for scheduling equipment operations; 10% for field evaluations and coordination Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Basic understanding of biological science, preferably in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture or Plant Pathology; experience in farm management or maintenance Experience in scouting pests and diseases in the field Understanding of horticultural production Documented and verifiable agricultural experience, preferably related to fruit and nut production Georgia Pesticide Applicator’s license (or ability to obtain within 90 days) Significant experience operating tractors (>= 50 horsepower) and implementing farm management procedures including pesticide sprays, mowing, planting, harvesting and heavy equipment repair Physical Demands
Ability to lift 40 pounds; work outside in high heat and humidity Regular walking or bending; occasional agility or dexterity requirements Driving to perform job-related tasks Additional Information
Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., IT security, etc.)? No Compliance and Background
Credit and P-Card policy: A credit check will be required for positions with financial responsibilities. Reference to the UGA Credit Background Check website is provided in the original posting. Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, criminal background check, verification of credentials and employment history, reference checks, and possibly a pre-employment drug test for high-risk roles. See the UGA Background Check website for details. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of related experience Preferred Qualifications: Technical knowledge in the field acquired via apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, professional certificate, or extensive farming experience Documented agricultural experience, preferably in horticulture Contact
Recruitment Contact Name: Dario Chavez Recruitment Contact Email: dchavez@uga.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Posting Number: S14217P Working Title: Assistant Farm Manager - Chavez (2) Department: CAES-Horticulture Position Summary
The position provides research support to the stone fruit and pecan research projects at the USDA-ARS Fruit and Tree Nut research Lab located at Byron, GA. This position assists in one or more phases of the research projects by performing primarily independent farming duties in pecan and peach orchard settings, including operation of farm tractors with associated implements/attachments and other heavy equipment, pesticide sprayer calibration and application, mowing, planting, harvesting, and equipment repair. Responsibilities include scouting orchards for disease and pest issues, monitoring plant and soil nutrient levels, assisting in planning of applications, maintaining and monitoring irrigation systems, and creating schedules for planting, irrigation, spraying, fertilizing, pruning, training and planting orchards. Significant experience in operating tractors (>= 50 horsepower) and implementing farm management procedures such as pesticide sprays, mowing, planting, harvesting and heavy equipment repair are required. This is a grant-funded position with continued employment beyond 08/31/2026 based on the needs of the project as well as available funding and satisfactory job performance and progress. Responsibilities
Mowing, weed eating, herbicide applications, fence repair and installation Maintain equipment used in the field including tractors, mowers, string trimmers, backpack sprayers, motorized or battery-operated sprayers, tillers and hand tools; inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning and coordinate maintenance or repairs Collection of soil samples, fertilizer applications, field preparation, planting and clean-up of field experiments; execute seeding plans for the upcoming season; monitor weather conditions, record data and manage the irrigation system; keep records of trees and planting blocks Create schedules to operate equipment to prepare for plot turnover, irrigation, spraying and pruning Report field evaluations to the team in planning irrigation, mowing, pests and equipment care; capable of working a flexible schedule as workload requires Percentage of time allocation:
50% for the first set of duties; 25% for soil and field management tasks; 15% for scheduling equipment operations; 10% for field evaluations and coordination Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Basic understanding of biological science, preferably in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture or Plant Pathology; experience in farm management or maintenance Experience in scouting pests and diseases in the field Understanding of horticultural production Documented and verifiable agricultural experience, preferably related to fruit and nut production Georgia Pesticide Applicator’s license (or ability to obtain within 90 days) Significant experience operating tractors (>= 50 horsepower) and implementing farm management procedures including pesticide sprays, mowing, planting, harvesting and heavy equipment repair Physical Demands
Ability to lift 40 pounds; work outside in high heat and humidity Regular walking or bending; occasional agility or dexterity requirements Driving to perform job-related tasks Additional Information
Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., IT security, etc.)? No Compliance and Background
Credit and P-Card policy: A credit check will be required for positions with financial responsibilities. Reference to the UGA Credit Background Check website is provided in the original posting. Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, criminal background check, verification of credentials and employment history, reference checks, and possibly a pre-employment drug test for high-risk roles. See the UGA Background Check website for details. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of related experience Preferred Qualifications: Technical knowledge in the field acquired via apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, professional certificate, or extensive farming experience Documented agricultural experience, preferably in horticulture Contact
Recruitment Contact Name: Dario Chavez Recruitment Contact Email: dchavez@uga.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr