SOILS/SUSTAINABLE AG ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Shasta California

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Provide support and expertise for organic sustainable agricultural operation ensuring farm goals are effectively and efficiently achieved.
  • Responsible for providing technical and direct hands-on assistance in the development, application, and maintenance of compost and compost tea program, mycorrhizae, earthworms, and any additional soil amendments that ensures soil fertility maintenance.
  • Responsible for sampling, testing and analyzing the soilsbiological, chemical, and physical properties and processes; including but not limited tofertility, organic matter and humus content,carbon sequestration analysis, water quality analysis, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), soil survey and mapping, etc.
  • Assist in developing and evaluating a series of integrated Best Management Practices (BMP) for soil, water, crop and amendments for optimizing forage production while minimizing soil erosion. To accomplish this, BMPs that may be implemented include subsoiling, crop residue management, cover crops, minimum or reduced tillage, no-till drilling, Management-intensive Grazing (MiG). Assist in revegetation and/or restoration work such as sub-soiling, tilling, seeding, and soil amendments.
  • Assist in developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program; utilizing IPM principles and practices to maintain agricultural resources and integrity of ecosystems (“sustainability”). Implement and apply invasive/noxious species and pest reduction/eradication program, utilizing mechanical, biological, and organic pesticide techniques e.g., yellowstar thistle, marlahan mustard, gofers, ground squirrels, flies, etc.
  • Assist in developing and implementing the farms organic program following California Certified Organic Farmers and National Organic Program standards and requirements protocol.
  • Monitor and record pasture condition and trend, pounds of production per acre of forage, percent utilization of forage, rotation and recovery periods, etc. Responsible for plant tissue sampling and analysis, including the application of a refractometer and recording the data.
  • Monitor and record irrigation and stock-water well depths and production bi-weekly. Monitor and assess irrigation methods, efficiencies and effectiveness. Research the viability and application of potentiometers.
  • Assist in the data entry and record keepingand preparation of plans and reports. Utilizing a variety of computer programs to compile, store, retrieve, and analyze information.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

  • Assists in planning, implementing and managing all aspects of the soils program.
  • Knowledge of current trends and practices in soil and water management.
  • Ability to set goals and objectives, lead efforts, motivate team members and manage performance.
  • Ability to develop timeframes and then complete projects and tasks within timeframes.
  • Safely use and maintain farm tools and equipment, including heavy machinery.
  • Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
  • PC familiarity, including database knowledge, in order to maintain farm records.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT

  • Assists developing long-term goals, objectives and strategies; implementing and achieving them.
  • Assists developing and administering budgets and ensures sound financial performance.
  • Assists establishing and maintaining optimal performance standards within budget.
  • May negotiate and contract with vendors.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS/PROBLEM SOLVING

  • Helps ensure program accountability and legal compliance.
  • Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
  • Works effectively under pressure.
  • Diffuses tension among colleagues comfortably, helping create a harmonious workplace.
  • Collaborates with a wide range of people.
  • Produces results in a team environment.
  • Consults peers to review own work
  • Communicates clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
  • Proven interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
  • Uses common software applications e.g. Word, Excel, Web browser.

Please send resume information to Alison Kutz-Troutman

Sound Horticulture

360-739-9095

2/19/2009