– Holtville, CA, Job ID 89392
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Job Description
Position Summary:
The Agricultural Technician will support agricultural research activities through field operations, experimental plot establishment and maintenance, sample collection, irrigation system management, agricultural equipment operation, and general research support. The position involves hands-on work at multiple agricultural research sites under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI).
This position is a career appointment that is 80% variable.
Pay Scale: $26.69/hour to $31.25/hour
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/26/2026.
Key Responsibilities:
25%
Field Research and Experimental Operations
- Assist in establishing, maintaining, and monitoring agricultural research plots across multiple field locations.
- Perform routine field activities, including soil and plant sampling, field measurements, and crop monitoring.
- Assist with implementing experimental treatments, including irrigation and fertilizer applications, according to established research protocols.
- Support the installation, operation, and maintenance of irrigation systems used in field experiments.
25%
Agricultural Equipment and Irrigation Systems
- Operate handheld tools, agricultural equipment, and field instruments used in research activities.
- Assist with setting up, calibrating, adjusting, and operating agricultural equipment and irrigation systems.
- Inspect field equipment and irrigation components to identify operational problems and maintenance needs.
- Perform routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs as appropriate.
- Ensure proper cleaning, handling, and storage of field tools and equipment.
20%
Field Maintenance and General Operations
- Perform routine maintenance of research plots, irrigation systems, and field infrastructure.
- Assist with general field cleanup, equipment repairs, and preventive maintenance activities.
- Organize and maintain field supplies, tools, and agricultural equipment.
- Follow established field safety procedures and maintain a safe and organized working environment.
15%
Sample Collection and Handling
- Collect soil, plant, and water samples from research sites following established sampling protocols.
- Process, label, organize, and prepare samples for laboratory analysis.
- Package and ship samples to analytical laboratories according to established procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of sample collection, handling, and shipment.
15%
Research and Extension Support
- Assist research staff with field experiments, routine measurements, and other project-related activities.
- Provide occasional logistical and operational support for grower field days, research demonstrations, farm tours, workshops, and conferences.
- Assist with preparing research plots, equipment, and demonstration materials for extension and outreach activities.
- Perform other agricultural research and field-related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Skills to determine use and maintenance of equipment.
- Skills to operate hand and power tools.
- Skills to understand and apply safe work practices for research field trials, chemical applications.
- Knowledge of cultural practices for field, row and vegetable crops.
- Knowledge of pesticide regulations, safety procedures, and methods of application.
Preferred Skills:
- Skills to operate light and medium size trucks, tractors and attached implements.
- Skills to assist with mixing, calibration and application of agricultural sprays; and to operate pressurized hand and PTO-driven sprayers.
- Ability to read and understand pesticide labels and MSDS's.
- Ability to record field operation and spray application data.
- Skills to communicate verbally and in writing.
- Skills to interpret and understand all manuals, directives, and guidelines pertinent to job functions.
Special Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
- DMV Pull Program: Must enroll in the DMV Pull-Notice Program.
- The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
- As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
- As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
- "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucanr/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=89392&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=17&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant