Agricultural Assistant I

The University of Florida
United States, FL
Jun 5, 2026

Job Description:

Classification Title:	Agricultural Assistant I
Classification Minimum Requirements:	None.
Job Description:	Pest, Disease & Nutrient Management: • Apply fertilizers, pesticides, and approved disease- and pest-control treatments following established crop management recommendations and approved research protocols. • Calibrate and operate pesticide sprayers and fertilizer application equipment safely and accurately. • Ensure proper application type, rate, timing, placement, and product handling as specified. • Follow all applicable EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and UF/IFAS Environmental Health & Safety requirements related to chemical handling, application, storage, and disposal. Equipment Operation & Maintenance: • Operate farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, plows, harrows, rotavators, bed shapers, mulch layers, seed drills, planters, cultivators, fertilizer applicators, sprayers, mowers, plastic lifters, and related implements, following safety requirements and operating procedures. • Operate support vehicles and auxiliary equipment such as trucks, utility vehicles, loaders, forklifts, golf carts, and trailers as assigned. • Perform basic, routine equipment maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication, and visual inspections; report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to supervisory personnel. Farm Maintenance & Research Crop Management: • Assist with farm maintenance and support crop management activities for faculty-led research projects across field and enclosed structures in accordance with assigned tasks and protocol specifications. • Support crop establishment activities, including plowing, harrowing, leveling, bed formation, plastic-mulched bed installation, planting, transplanting, and irrigation setup as directed. • Carry out routine crop maintenance tasks such as fertilization, irrigation, pest and weed control, and other cultural practices following established guidelines. • Participate in harvesting and post-harvest operations, including harvesting, grading, data collection, equipment cleaning, and field cleanup. Crop Irrigation Management: • Assist with the installation, operation, and upkeep of irrigation systems according to established crop recommendations, best management practices, and approved research protocols. • Implement irrigation schedules, application amounts, and system configurations as directed or according to established plans. • Inspect irrigation systems for leaks, blockages, or wear; perform routine cleaning and minor repairs; report system issues as needed. • Maintain irrigation activity logs and documentation as assigned. Application Records & Compliance: • Maintain accurate and complete electronic records of pesticide and fertilizer applications, including product names, EPA registration numbers, fertilizer grades, application rates, dates, treated areas, methods, and applicator identification. • Ensure records are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements and retained for the required period. • Support compliance documentation by organizing and maintaining accessible records as directed. Procurement & Inventory of Agricultural Supplies: • Assist with ordering, receiving, tracking, and inventory management of agricultural supplies, including pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation materials, plastic mulch, seeds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and related items. • Support proper handling, storage, and disposal of agricultural inputs in compliance with EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and institutional guidelines. • Communicate supply needs or inventory discrepancies to supervisory personnel. Essential and Other Duties: • Participate in natural disaster preparedness and recovery activities, including frost protection, hurricane preparation and cleanup, drought mitigation efforts, and storm-related response activities, as assigned. • Perform other related duties as assigned to support research and farm operations.
Expected Salary:	$18.00 an hour commensurate with experience
Required Qualifications:	Pesticide applicator license, within 6 months of hire Current health assessment Background check Valid Florida driver's license Forklift Certification, with 6 months of hire
Preferred:	Knowledge of or experience assisting with operation of agricultural equipment (tractors, tillage implements, mowers, sprayers, irrigation systems) • Familiarity with basic farm, research, or field operations in an agricultural setting • Basic knowledge of pesticide and fertilizer handling and application practices • Ability to follow established procedures, instructions, and safety protocols • Experience performing routine manual labor and field tasks under supervision • Awareness of chemical safety requirements and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) • Basic recordkeeping skills and ability to complete required logs or forms accurately • Willingness and ability to obtain required certifications or licenses within a specified timeframe, including a pesticide applicator license within six (6) months of hire (Row Crop, Agricultural Tree Crop, Greenhouse, Soil Fumigation)
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

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Job ID:

85938

Location:

Dade, FL

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Job Description:

Classification Title:	Agricultural Assistant I
Classification Minimum Requirements:	None.
Job Description:	Pest, Disease & Nutrient Management: • Apply fertilizers, pesticides, and approved disease- and pest-control treatments following established crop management recommendations and approved research protocols. • Calibrate and operate pesticide sprayers and fertilizer application equipment safely and accurately. • Ensure proper application type, rate, timing, placement, and product handling as specified. • Follow all applicable EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and UF/IFAS Environmental Health & Safety requirements related to chemical handling, application, storage, and disposal. Equipment Operation & Maintenance: • Operate farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, plows, harrows, rotavators, bed shapers, mulch layers, seed drills, planters, cultivators, fertilizer applicators, sprayers, mowers, plastic lifters, and related implements, following safety requirements and operating procedures. • Operate support vehicles and auxiliary equipment such as trucks, utility vehicles, loaders, forklifts, golf carts, and trailers as assigned. • Perform basic, routine equipment maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication, and visual inspections; report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to supervisory personnel. Farm Maintenance & Research Crop Management: • Assist with farm maintenance and support crop management activities for faculty-led research projects across field and enclosed structures in accordance with assigned tasks and protocol specifications. • Support crop establishment activities, including plowing, harrowing, leveling, bed formation, plastic-mulched bed installation, planting, transplanting, and irrigation setup as directed. • Carry out routine crop maintenance tasks such as fertilization, irrigation, pest and weed control, and other cultural practices following established guidelines. • Participate in harvesting and post-harvest operations, including harvesting, grading, data collection, equipment cleaning, and field cleanup. Crop Irrigation Management: • Assist with the installation, operation, and upkeep of irrigation systems according to established crop recommendations, best management practices, and approved research protocols. • Implement irrigation schedules, application amounts, and system configurations as directed or according to established plans. • Inspect irrigation systems for leaks, blockages, or wear; perform routine cleaning and minor repairs; report system issues as needed. • Maintain irrigation activity logs and documentation as assigned. Application Records & Compliance: • Maintain accurate and complete electronic records of pesticide and fertilizer applications, including product names, EPA registration numbers, fertilizer grades, application rates, dates, treated areas, methods, and applicator identification. • Ensure records are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements and retained for the required period. • Support compliance documentation by organizing and maintaining accessible records as directed. Procurement & Inventory of Agricultural Supplies: • Assist with ordering, receiving, tracking, and inventory management of agricultural supplies, including pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation materials, plastic mulch, seeds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and related items. • Support proper handling, storage, and disposal of agricultural inputs in compliance with EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and institutional guidelines. • Communicate supply needs or inventory discrepancies to supervisory personnel. Essential and Other Duties: • Participate in natural disaster preparedness and recovery activities, including frost protection, hurricane preparation and cleanup, drought mitigation efforts, and storm-related response activities, as assigned. • Perform other related duties as assigned to support research and farm operations.
Expected Salary:	$18.00 an hour commensurate with experience
Required Qualifications:	Pesticide applicator license, within 6 months of hire Current health assessment Background check Valid Florida driver's license Forklift Certification, with 6 months of hire
Preferred:	Knowledge of or experience assisting with operation of agricultural equipment (tractors, tillage implements, mowers, sprayers, irrigation systems) • Familiarity with basic farm, research, or field operations in an agricultural setting • Basic knowledge of pesticide and fertilizer handling and application practices • Ability to follow established procedures, instructions, and safety protocols • Experience performing routine manual labor and field tasks under supervision • Awareness of chemical safety requirements and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) • Basic recordkeeping skills and ability to complete required logs or forms accurately • Willingness and ability to obtain required certifications or licenses within a specified timeframe, including a pesticide applicator license within six (6) months of hire (Row Crop, Agricultural Tree Crop, Greenhouse, Soil Fumigation)
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

Posted:

05/06/2026