Cal Poly Corporation
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Special Instructions Cal Poly Partners provides excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, paid sick leave/vacation and 14 holidays. Employees are eligible to participate in the CP Partners Medical Insurance Plan offered through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Employees have different plans from which to choose including HMOs and PPOs. The coverage includes the employee, his/her dependents, or domestic partner. The CPC covers a large portion of the medical premium for the employee and eligible dependents. All employees are members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and will contribute to their retirement; these contributions can be refunded if the employee terminates prior to retirement. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check, educational and employment verification, and reference check, as required.
EEO/Disability/Protected Veteran Employer
Position Information Job Title
Farm Technician
Posting Number
201000776
Posting Type
Temporary
Contract End Date
02/28/2028
Salary Range
$25.09 - $29.00/hr
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time
Work Hours
Monday–Friday
Position Summary As an integral part of a research and education team at the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, the Farm Technician will plan and execute farming activities necessary to support experiential learning and conduct field research on vegetable crops under the supervision of the Center Director and Organic Farm Supervisor. General duties for this position include land preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and other tasks necessary to farm vegetable crops. Efforts will be focused on student training and research to improve the sustainability of California organic vegetable production.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be able to occasionally lift heavy objects and wear a backpack sprayer weighing up to 50 pounds.
Obtain a Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation within the first 4 months of employment.
Ability to occasionally work long hours to meet deadlines and complete projects.
Must possess a valid Class C California Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to our insurance company underwriters and comply with state/federal requirements.
Ability to perform maintenance on farm machinery and assist in fabrication of research specific equipment.
Ability to travel to organic vegetable production regions within California.
Ability to use standard office software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, publishing, electronic mail, and calendaring systems.
Ability to prioritize, plan, organize, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision and without reminders.
Ability to lead others in managing tasks, train and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships within the campus community and with a wide range of industry personnel.
Ability to professionally interface with members of the campus, community, and public.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to maintain a variety of complex and confidential files and records.
Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
A background check is required for all regular benefited positions.
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four‑year university with an agricultural degree (plant science, horticulture, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, etc).
Physical Demands
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrists to operate a computer keyboard and various pieces of lab and field equipment.
Seeing to read a variety of materials.
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Physical agility to lift 50 pounds to shoulder height.
Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.
Independently commuting on an as‑needed basis to travel to vegetable production regions within California.
Typical Essential Functions
Farming activities include land preparation, disking, landplaning, listing, ripping, plowing, laying drip tape, banding fertilizer, laying plastic mulch, installing irrigation and irrigating, fertilizing, planting, applying pesticides, harvesting, packing, cooling, and all other activities associated with farming vegetables.
Work with, apply and safely handle agricultural chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, biological control agents, fertilizers and other products currently in use or for experimental purposes.
Follow proper agricultural practices to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and common‑sense regarding safety.
Operate and maintain equipment: backpack and tractor‑mounted spray equipment, drip and sprinkler irrigation, pumping and injection systems, tractors and implements, soil probes, etc.
Modify existing equipment for specific research projects.
Plan and execute assigned duties related to educational activities (i.e., field days, short courses, symposia, special projects, etc.).
Oversee and student employees working on center funded projects.
Order and maintain needed inventory of research and farming equipment.
Respond to emergency situations that may arise in the evenings, weekends or holidays to assist in accomplishing farming and experimental objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Posting Specific Questions
* Please indicate your level of education.
No degree
HS degree or equivalent
Associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
PhD
* How many years of related work experience and/or relevant training do you have?
Less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6+
* Will you have a valid California driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to our insurance underwriters at the date of hire if you are the chosen candidate?
Yes
No
* How would you rate your hands‑on experience with organic vegetable production -- including managing specific crops and farming practices?
No experience
Limited experience (assisted with a few tasks or crops)
Moderate experience (regularly worked with multiple crops and practices)
Extensive experience (independently managed diverse crops and organic farming practices)
Expert experience (led or oversaw full organic vegetable production operations)
* Which statement best reflects your experience operating and maintaining farm equipment and irrigation systems, as well as your comfort level making modifications for research purposes?
No experience
Basic operation only; minimal maintenance; not comfortable making modifications
Regular operation and basic maintenance; somewhat comfortable with simple modifications
Skilled in operating and maintaining multiple systems; comfortable making research‑related modifications with guidance
Highly proficient with a wide range of equipment and irrigation systems; confident making independent research‑driven modifications
* Which option best describes your experience training or supervising students or other team members in a farm setting?
No prior experience supervising or training others
Limited experience (informal guidance on simple tasks)
Moderate experience (regularly coached individuals on farming practices)
Significant experience (trained and oversaw groups or student workers)
Extensive leadership experience (managed, trained, and evaluated teams or student crews independently)
Open Dates and Review Open Date
11/25/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Review of Applications Begin Date
11/25/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Apply for this Job
link/button.
If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the
Bookmark
link. To email this position to a friend, click on the
Email to a Friend
link. If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the
Print Preview
link.
Special Instructions Cal Poly Partners provides excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, paid sick leave/vacation and 14 holidays. Employees are eligible to participate in the CP Partners Medical Insurance Plan offered through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Employees have different plans from which to choose including HMOs and PPOs. The coverage includes the employee, his/her dependents, or domestic partner. The CPC covers a large portion of the medical premium for the employee and eligible dependents. All employees are members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and will contribute to their retirement; these contributions can be refunded if the employee terminates prior to retirement. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check, educational and employment verification, and reference check, as required.
EEO/Disability/Protected Veteran Employer
Position Information Job Title
Farm Technician
Posting Number
201000776
Posting Type
Temporary
Contract End Date
02/28/2028
Salary Range
$25.09 - $29.00/hr
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time
Work Hours
Monday–Friday
Position Summary As an integral part of a research and education team at the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, the Farm Technician will plan and execute farming activities necessary to support experiential learning and conduct field research on vegetable crops under the supervision of the Center Director and Organic Farm Supervisor. General duties for this position include land preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and other tasks necessary to farm vegetable crops. Efforts will be focused on student training and research to improve the sustainability of California organic vegetable production.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be able to occasionally lift heavy objects and wear a backpack sprayer weighing up to 50 pounds.
Obtain a Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation within the first 4 months of employment.
Ability to occasionally work long hours to meet deadlines and complete projects.
Must possess a valid Class C California Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to our insurance company underwriters and comply with state/federal requirements.
Ability to perform maintenance on farm machinery and assist in fabrication of research specific equipment.
Ability to travel to organic vegetable production regions within California.
Ability to use standard office software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, publishing, electronic mail, and calendaring systems.
Ability to prioritize, plan, organize, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision and without reminders.
Ability to lead others in managing tasks, train and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships within the campus community and with a wide range of industry personnel.
Ability to professionally interface with members of the campus, community, and public.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to maintain a variety of complex and confidential files and records.
Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
A background check is required for all regular benefited positions.
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four‑year university with an agricultural degree (plant science, horticulture, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, etc).
Physical Demands
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrists to operate a computer keyboard and various pieces of lab and field equipment.
Seeing to read a variety of materials.
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Physical agility to lift 50 pounds to shoulder height.
Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.
Independently commuting on an as‑needed basis to travel to vegetable production regions within California.
Typical Essential Functions
Farming activities include land preparation, disking, landplaning, listing, ripping, plowing, laying drip tape, banding fertilizer, laying plastic mulch, installing irrigation and irrigating, fertilizing, planting, applying pesticides, harvesting, packing, cooling, and all other activities associated with farming vegetables.
Work with, apply and safely handle agricultural chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, biological control agents, fertilizers and other products currently in use or for experimental purposes.
Follow proper agricultural practices to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and common‑sense regarding safety.
Operate and maintain equipment: backpack and tractor‑mounted spray equipment, drip and sprinkler irrigation, pumping and injection systems, tractors and implements, soil probes, etc.
Modify existing equipment for specific research projects.
Plan and execute assigned duties related to educational activities (i.e., field days, short courses, symposia, special projects, etc.).
Oversee and student employees working on center funded projects.
Order and maintain needed inventory of research and farming equipment.
Respond to emergency situations that may arise in the evenings, weekends or holidays to assist in accomplishing farming and experimental objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Posting Specific Questions
* Please indicate your level of education.
No degree
HS degree or equivalent
Associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
PhD
* How many years of related work experience and/or relevant training do you have?
Less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6+
* Will you have a valid California driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to our insurance underwriters at the date of hire if you are the chosen candidate?
Yes
No
* How would you rate your hands‑on experience with organic vegetable production -- including managing specific crops and farming practices?
No experience
Limited experience (assisted with a few tasks or crops)
Moderate experience (regularly worked with multiple crops and practices)
Extensive experience (independently managed diverse crops and organic farming practices)
Expert experience (led or oversaw full organic vegetable production operations)
* Which statement best reflects your experience operating and maintaining farm equipment and irrigation systems, as well as your comfort level making modifications for research purposes?
No experience
Basic operation only; minimal maintenance; not comfortable making modifications
Regular operation and basic maintenance; somewhat comfortable with simple modifications
Skilled in operating and maintaining multiple systems; comfortable making research‑related modifications with guidance
Highly proficient with a wide range of equipment and irrigation systems; confident making independent research‑driven modifications
* Which option best describes your experience training or supervising students or other team members in a farm setting?
No prior experience supervising or training others
Limited experience (informal guidance on simple tasks)
Moderate experience (regularly coached individuals on farming practices)
Significant experience (trained and oversaw groups or student workers)
Extensive leadership experience (managed, trained, and evaluated teams or student crews independently)
Open Dates and Review Open Date
11/25/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Review of Applications Begin Date
11/25/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr