Job Summary

• Plan/Schedule daily tasks for student employees on the organic/conventional vegetable farms
• Supervision, safety training, and general farm training of student employees on organic/conventional vegetable farms
• Performs a variety of tasks in collaboration with the faculty, and students including:
  • operations associated primarily with sustainable vegetable production
  • operations involved with organic vegetables and fruit/nut production.
  • operations associated with plant nutrition,
  • installation of agricultural water and irrigation systems,
  • operations associated with waste management,
  • general pest control in conventional and organic systems,
  • general land preparation/tillage, mowing and cultivation
• Identify and resolve problems that arise, such as broken water lines, broken fences, or machinery that does not operate correctly
• Perform routine daily servicing of farm vehicles and equipment
• Perform and provide support for the preparation of land for crop production
• Perform and provide support for the irrigation of field crops
• Provide direction and supervision to student assistant crew(s), as assigned
• Operation of equipment, including vehicles with a manual transmission, two and four-wheel drive (on and off-road), ATV, wheel and track laying tractors, mini-excavator, forklifts, and loaders.
• Assist faculty and students with instruction, research, and production activities
• Provide direction and supervision to student assistant crews
• Be ready for assigned duties on any part of the Horticulture or Crop Units, as needed
• Respond to emergency situations that may arise in the evenings, weekends, or holidays to assist in Agricultural Operations and frost protection, as requested by the supervisor
• Ability to apply pesticides with appropriate certification or license (QAC or QAL)
• Ability and willingness to work with Centers (Cal Poly Organic Center, Cal Poly Strawberry Center, Center for Sustainability, and Irrigation, Training and Research Center), other academic departments and Agricultural Operations under the direction of the Department Head.

Education and Experience

Three years of progressively responsible experience in the production of field, garden, vegetable, ornamental or specialty crops (orchards, vineyards, feed crops, greenhouse, etc.). Equivalent to 60 semester or 90 quarter units of academic work at a recognized college or university, including agriculture and science courses applicable to the production of general field and specialty crops. (Additional specialized experience which has demonstrated that the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on the basis of one year experience for each 30 semester or 45 quarter units of accredited college work)

Salary:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $23.97 – $26.37 per hour

Classification Range: $23.97 - $43.38 per hour

Cal Poly

Known for its Learn by Doing pedagogy, Cal Poly is the flagship of the world-renowned California State University system. Annually recognized as one of the top public universities in the nation, Cal Poly continues to offer an academic curriculum based on learned experience gained through real-world practice. Located in San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly is nestled comfortably among the coastal foothills, minutes from the Pacific Ocean and equidistant to the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.  

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).