Salary Range: $72,000 – 80,000
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Department: Chemicals
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
The Agronomy team is responsible for identifying pests which may harm our crops and creating a pesticide spray program to suppress/control them. They also work alongside the ranch and lab manager to help increase yield by adding additional fertilizer and/or soil amendments through foliar sprays and/or chemigations when needed. The Agronomist help Betteravia Farms stay in compliance by following the laws and regulations the California Department of Pesticide Regulations have established and ensure these rules are followed by all. In addition, the goal is creating high quality produce and keeping fields clear for harvest at the most efficient cost.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Operating with a land base of 10,000 acres around the Santa Maria Valley, Betteravia Farms grows an array of commodities which includes leafy vegetables and brassicas. The Agronomist is responsible for monitoring pest pressure, plant, and soil health, along with implementing Sustainability and Integrated Pest Management programs. An Agronomist role is to find ways to improve plant health and quality with the goal to increase yields.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Includes the following and/or other duties assigned based on business decisions.
- Correctly identify vegetable diseases, insects, vertebrates, weeds, and other pests.
- Monitor and scout fields for economic thresholds.
- Write recommendations for controlling pests.
- Evaluate chemical efficacy in fields.
- Correctly use chemicals by learning labels.
- Communicate with ranch managers to coordinate pesticide applications.
- Work with harvesting supervisors to acquire the highest quality standards.
- Supervise others on conducting chemical sprays.
- Answer phone calls, emails, text messages for spray applications when needed.
- Ability to prepare and work with a budget.
- Responsible for monthly inventory.
- Monitor pheromone traps for observing flights and populations.
- Regulate and monitor field trials.
- Environmental chemical hazard awareness.
- Comply with California Department of Pesticide Regulations.
- Update school notifications.
- Continuing education to increase chemical knowledge and legislature updates.
- Assist in the development of interns and new hires.
- Understand soil management to implement soil amendments when needed for increasing plant health.
- Collaborate with Ranch Managers to ensure crop fertility is optimum.
- Other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
- Problem Solving – Works well in group problem solving situations.
- Interpersonal – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintains confidentiality Listens to others without interrupting. Keeps emotions under control. Remains open to others’ ideas and makes suggestions of ideas to better policies and procedures.
- Oral Communication – Listens and gets clarification. Responds well to questions.
- Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Able to build morale and group commitments to goal and objectives. Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; Ability to work well with all team members.
- Ethics – Treats people with respect; Works with integrity.
- Communication – Must be able to read and write in Spanish.
- Support Company Vision – Follows policies and procedures; Supports company’s goals and values. Leads by example.
- Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent;
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals;
- Planning/Organizing – Uses time efficiently.
- Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
- Safety and Security – Reports on potentially unsafe conditions. Uses equipment and materials proper. Keeps work area clean and organized