Agricultural Worker 2 (37.5 Hour)

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

In a state agency, facility or institution this class is accountable for performing the most highly skilled agricultural work or acting as a lead over other agricultural workers.

Performs highly skilled agricultural work in one or more area related to general farm labor, farm animals and/or complex plant science, dairy manufacturing and agricultural functions; leads staff engaged in agricultural work in a related area; assists professional staff in instructional and research work; demonstrates and participates in scientific and technical methods and procedures used in agriculture; uses heavy earthmoving equipment to dig ditches, clean drainage ditches, load gravel and perform general landscape work; transports equipment, livestock, grains and feed; plows snow; assembles and prepares diary ingredients for processing; ensures standards for quality of dairy products; repairs complex farm machinery and other equipment; breeds and neuters animals; mixes feed rations and maintains weight records for animals; determines proper lighting and ventilation of greenhouses; determines methods and procedures to be used in culture and propagation of plants; manages agricultural products salesroom and sells products; keeps records, statistical research data, logs and prepares reports; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of methods used in culture and propagation of crops, produce, plants, flowers and orchards; considerable knowledge of care, health and management of animals; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of complex equipment and machinery related to particular agricultural area; ability to follow oral and written instructions; some supervisory ability.

Three (3) years of experience in one of the following areas related to the specific needs of the position:

- General farm labor (crops, produce, orchards, etc.)
- Farm animal science and/or maintenance (dairy, horses, poultry, sheep, pigs, etc.)
- Plant science
- Dairy manufacturing

College training in agriculture or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years for an Associate's degree.

• Experience communicating to individuals and groups orally and in writing;
• Experience executing onsite installation and maintenance of plants including annuals, perennials, vines, trees, planters, and manicured lawns;
• Experience with the propagation of heirloom and contemporary plants of common and rare cultivars;
• Experience identifying and eradicating invasive species of plants;
• Experience with historic landscape design, heirloom plantings, and garden restoration practices;
• Experience reading, interpreting and implementing planting plans;
• Experience operating and managing year round greenhouse production;
• Experience operating and maintaining landscape machinery and farm equipment;
• Experience leading and supervising workers on agricultural or botanical projects.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.
   
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

1. Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility, visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
   
2. A physical examination may be required.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights and may be exposed to extreme weather conditions and risk of injury from machinery or animals.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.