"Agriculture Worker III (Maricopa, AZ)"

Agriculture Worker III (Maricopa, AZ)

Company: The University of Arizona

Job Location: Tucson, 85724

Category: Farming and Agriculture

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: req25292

Department: Maricopa Agricultural Center

Location: Maricopa

Address: 37860 W Smith Enke Road, Maricopa, AZ 85138 USA

Position Highlights

The Maricopa Agriculture Center is seeking an enthusiastic Agriculture Worker III to work with crops. The Agriculture Worker III will operate farm machinery to care for field crops for all research plots on the experiment station and will also assist with irrigation. A wide variety of equipment is utilized throughout the production and harvest of field crops. Additionally, other equipment for maintaining roads and other infrastructure will be used.

The Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) strives to be at the forefront of disciplinary field investigations, as well as develop, deliver and service the best integrated agricultural technologies. Home to the USDA ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, MAC's main focus is on cotton, small grains, alfalfa, and new specialty crops that could be used to provide fibers, oils, pharmaceuticals, and other biological products. MAC provides a community hub for Cooperative Extension and 4-H agricultural literacy programs including a hands-on Agventure demonstration area available for school and group tours. The facility also provides a plant diagnostic lab, cactus garden, demo garden and orchard provided by the Master Gardener program.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate a wide variety of farm equipment including tractors, cotton pickers, combines, backhoes, etc, including adjusting the machinery as needed, and understanding when to adjust the machinery.
• Work with GPS guidance systems, operating and navigating the controls, for all crop aspects.
• Operate Case IH program tractors with advanced electronic controls, and responsible for setting all flow rates and controls from the touch screen.
• Assist in all stages of planting, fertilizing, cultivating, and harvesting of field crops.
• Use compound slopes and calculate percent slope in relation to field length in laser leveling fields.
• Performs minor repairs and maintenance operations of farm equipment.
• Conduct applications of fertilizers, herbicides, and other chemicals and pesticide application after training, as approved by manager.
• Occasional hand weeding and other tasks as assigned.
• Assist with flood and sprinkler irrigation of crops.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of a variety of cultivating equipment for specific crops.
• Strong understanding of land preparation techniques and best practices.
• Ability to operate heavy machinery safely and effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with all aspects of farming and farming operations.
• Experience operating farm equipment.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Agriculture and Extension

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: $18.15 - $22.69

Compensation Type: hourly rate

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