EXTERNAL VACANCY - OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC - Title: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TECHNICIAN III - Position Number: 0044868 Organization: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII / COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE - Location: HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF HAWAII (VOLCANO, WAIAKEA & MALAMA-KI)Last Day To File: - CONTINUOUS - Fund: GENERAL - Salary: $3,606 MONTHLY - THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 10 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME Duties Summary Performs a variety of functions in support of agricultural research projects and/or the conduct of specialized agricultural operations. Provides assistance to researchers in the conduct and completion of all phases of projects in accordance with experimental design involving standardized practices and procedures. Duties include, but not limited to, measuring and laying out experimental plots in accordance with experimental design; fumigating, fertilizing and preparing soil, seeding and planting various crops; measuring and mixing fertilizers and applying accurately manually, or calibrating mechanical spreader; testing PH level of soil and adjusting by the addition of proper type and amount of chemicals; selecting and planting seedlings and cuttings; harvesting vegetables, flowers and other crops and taking measurements and records; etc.; as well as detailed work with livestock research programs including the handling of livestock, feeding and management of animals and other related duties. Work includes the application of chemicals which require the safe application of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. A respirator must be used to spray pesticides and applicant must also obtain a physician's approval to use a respirator, and be trained and certified to properly use a respirator. As well as basic farm equipment such as chain saws, lawn mowers, grass trimmers, tractors and hand tools. Minimum Qualification Requirements – To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements: General Experience: One (1) year of work experience in the operation of a farm or related agricultural laboratory or industry which provided exposure to basic agricultural/farm activities. This experience must demonstrate that the applicant possesses knowledge of basic farming methods, routine agricultural work operations and processes; and the ability to use standard agricultural tools and equipment, perform manual and repetitive work, understand and follow oral and written instructions, and perform arithmetic computations. Examples of qualifying general experience are planting and harvesting pineapples, controlling weeds among growing crops, caring for plants in a nursery (watering, weeding, fertilizing, transplanting); or laboratory studies of plant diseases. Specialized Experience: One (1) year of non-professional or technical work experience performing agricultural activities in situations involving recordation, comparison, evaluation, experimentation and drawing of conclusions from data; and which provides the applicant with an appreciation of precision research work methods. This experience must demonstrate that the applicant possesses the ability to perform arithmetic calculations, record data and recognize diseased plants; and knowledge of experimental design requirements and farming methods in the form of two (2) or more of the following crop propagation; care of farm animals and poultry; safety precautions and use of fertilizers, insecticides or herbicides; care and use of pastures; care of farm tools and equipment. Driver's License: Applicants must possess a valid license to drive in the State of Hawai'i. Lifting and Carrying: Applicants must have the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds and the ability to assist lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 100 pounds. Pesticide Certification: Applicants must, within six (6) months of hire, obtain a certificate as a Commercial Applicator of Restricted Pesticides, Category 1 A – Agricultural Plant – pest control, and obtain medical clearance, training and fit-testing to use a respirator. Substitutions Allowed 1. Successful completion of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the field of agriculture may be substituted for experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for six (6) months of experience, provided that the coursework included at least six (6) semester credit hours in agricultural or related courses, of which three (3) credits must have been in plant/crop propagation or livestock production. The coursework may be substituted for up to a maximum of one (1) year of General Experience and three (3) years of Specialized Experience. 2. Successful completion of an agricultural curriculum leading to an Associate in Science degree or a Certificate of Achievement from an accredited community college may be substituted on the basis of fifteen (15) semester credit hours for six (6) months of experience, provided that the coursework included at least six (6) semester credit hours in agricultural or related courses, of which three (3) credits must have been in plant/crop propagation or livestock production. The coursework may be substituted for up to a maximum of one (1) year of General Experience and one (1) year of Specialized Experience. 3. A Certificate of Completion (at least twelve (12) semester credit hours) in agriculture, or a closely related field, from an accredited community college may be substituted for six (6) months of General Experience. 4. Successful completion of a farm practicum which provided one (1) semester of on-the-job vocational/technical competencies in agricultural activities supplemented by six (6) semester credit hours of coursework in crop propagation, soil technology, livestock/animal sciences, or related agricultural subjects may be substituted for six (6) months of either General or Specialized Experience. 5. Excess Specialized Experience of the type and quality described may be substituted for the required General Experience on a year-for-year basis. Physical and Medical Requirements Applicants must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, effectively and safely, with or without reasonable accommodation. The information provided above represents a summary of the Minimum Qualification Requirements. To view the Requirements in their entirety, please CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader).