Job no: 515405
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Polk
Categories: Agriculture/Life Science/Vet Medicine, Research/Scientific/Grants, Veteran's Preference Eligible
Department:60733000 - AG-CREC-HORTICULTURE

Laboratory Technician I

Weekly duties include collecting water samples and scouting CUPS for tree stress, pests and diseases.

Performs a variety of duties including tree planting, tree removal, tree topping, hand pruning, tree skirting, rootstock sucker removal, drip-irrigation maintenance, and CUPS screen repairs.

Performs a variety of standard laboratory tests and analyses, including, soil and water pH and electrical conductivity, Soil LOI, permanent wilting point. Operates and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment such as, pH, EC, SPAD, plant tissue grinders, soil sieves, muffle furnace.

Uses equipment such as ladders and scissor lifts for maintaining CUPS structures and pruning tools and electric sicklebar hedgers to maintain trees within CUPS.

Collects and prepares soil, leaf, and water samples following established procedures.

Keeps logs of all work-related activities. Helps with cleaning and maintaining work areas, including in the laboratory, greenhouses, and screen houses. Cleans and maintains greenhouse wet wall and ensures the proper functioning of greenhouse drains.

Prepare samples for lab analysis: leaf tissue samples, soil samples, and fruit and juice quality assessment. Prepare and applies fertilizer solutions following standardized formulas and guidelines.

Assists with ordering and inventory of materials to maintain supplies.

Collects and organizes data and documents results.

$15.32 per hour

Associate's degree in an appropriate area; or a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of related experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in CUPS operations.
Proficiency in using MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Must possess a valid Florida drivers license or be able to obtain one within 60 days of hire.

This is a time-limited position.

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.

Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. of the posting end date.

Yes

Advertised: 24 Feb 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Mar 2021 Eastern Standard Time