Job No: 541432
Work Type: Full Time
Location: Hillsborough
Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Agriculture Operations
Department: 60752000 - AG-GCREC-FIELD OPERATIONS
Job Description
Classification Title: Agricultural Assistant II
Classification 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.
Job Description:
Crop Maintenance:
- Assist in punching holes for tomatoes, strawberries, or any other needs.
- Assist in staking and tying tomatoes
- Assist in calibration of spray equipment
- Responsible for spraying herbicides, and pesticides as requested
- Assist in planting different crops
- Obtain within 3 months and maintain pesticide applicator license.
Maintenance Operation:
- Assist in routine repair of the different types of irrigation systems, including filters.
- Assist in cleaning of equipment and work areas
- Responsible for cleanliness, orderliness and maintenance of all working areas
- Assist in preventative maintenance of tractors, state vehicles, and farm equipment.
- Any unscheduled work related to field.
Land Preparation:
- Assist in land preparation, i.e., disking, harrowing, rototilling
- Assist in bedding, mulching before planting
- Assist in removing the plastic mulch, twine, and stakes from the fields at the end of the season
Harvesting:
- Assist in the harvest of research crops
- Assist in grading the crops after the harvest, and weighing of the fruits.
Ideal candidate will have:
- Familiarity with the farm equipment: knowledge, and skills to operate adequately, and safely (i.e. farm tractors and attached equipment, farm trucks, and motorized sprayers).
- Stand and walk for extended or continuous periods of time.
- Bend and stretch several times during the course of the day.
- Ability to work with faculty and other members of the Research Center staff
- Has a working knowledge of field plot research procedures.
- Able to recognize potential safety problems and correct them and to practice safety personally
- Flexible enough to change work methods if asked
- Ability to anticipate problems, inform supervisor of the situation, and take appropriate and timely action.
- Demonstrate commitment to contributing to a respectful and caring community for all, including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientation, and perspectives.
Expected Salary: $17-$19/ per hour commensurate with education and experience
Required Qualifications: 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: Pesticide License preferred (must obtain within 3 months and maintain)
Special Instructions to Applicants: In order to be considered, you must upload your resume. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
This position is eligible for veteran's preference. If you are claiming veteran's preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page for more specific information.
Health Assessment Required: Yes
Applications Close: 29 September 2026
To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/541432
Our Commitment: The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.