Senior Agricultural Specialist Duties
SUMMARY
This is responsible professional and managerial work in
planning, directing, and coordinating the overall activities of
an Agricultural Experiment Station field research laboratory.
Work involves the responsibility for planning, organizing, and
directing the day to day administration and managerial functions
of a field research laboratory and supervising and participating
in experimental farm programs and projects requiring the
implementation of complex research procedures.
This classification is distinguished from the Agricultural
Specialist classification by the complexity of operations and
extent of supervisory responsibility. Work is reviewed
principally through the observation of results and periodic
conferences with administrative superiors.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises field laboratory personnel involved in all phases of
work performed for a large number of soil, and plant, or animal
scientist including land preparation, planting, cultivation,
irrigation, harvesting, and decisions on pest control measures.
Coordinates research activities with university departments as
well as state and federal agencies.
Meets with scientists to discuss program needs, makes land
assignments for scientists and graduate students.
Determines cropping systems, labor, pesticides, and other
general research needs and requirements.
Coordinates field laboratory aspects for a large group of
research technicians and graduate students working the UGA
scientific programs.
Supervises and/or resolves problems encountered in field
laboratory operations including equipment repair, soil
conservation, disease, nematode and insect infestations, weeds,
pesticide safety, water conservation, and irrigation.
Determines and prioritizes needs and purchases of equipment,
laboratory shop supplies, fuel, oil, fertilizer, pesticides, and
building and equipment maintenance.
Plans annual and long-range budgets and operations procedures
for proper management and conduct of research at the plant
sciences field laboratory.
Hires laboratory personnel and terminates when necessary.
Performs annual evaluation of laboratory personnel.
Maintains petty cash account.
Watches markets and sells farm products grown on plots and other
lands on laboratory.
Collects soil samples and maintains records on all areas
relative to fertility and use history.
Provides proper irrigation and water management for field
research efforts.
Maintains a daily work and plot management log to provide
long-term field management history.
Provides records of field laboratory work efforts to
administrators and scientists for accounting purposes.
Attends technical informational exchange programs and evaluates
technological changes for implementation on the laboratory.
Provides educational tours for high school and college students
associated with classroom instruction and/or soil judging work.
Performs related work as required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Completion of college level course work from an accredited
college or university equivalent to a master's degree with major
course work in Agronomy or other crop sciences, and extensive
experience in farm management; or any equivalent combination of
training and experience.
Possession of a valid State of Georgia pesticide applications
license.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of crop plant pests, such as weeds, insects, and
diseases.
Knowledge of proper pesticide safety and usage.
Knowledge of hazardous materials handling and disposal.
Knowledge of soil fertility and testing.
Knowledge of up-to-date crop management technology.
Knowledge of plant and soil science research methods,
techniques, and procedures.
Knowledge of farm equipment, materials, and maintenance
techniques.
Knowledge of budget management.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinate
personnel.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with many
independent research scientists, their technicians and graduate
students, and administrators.
Ability to maintain computerized records and prepare reports for
scientists and administrators.
Ability to make hard personnel decisions.
|
|
|