Los Angeles Community College District

Performs animal care, crop production, agricultural facilities and equipment maintenance and repair, and instructional assistance duties related to the day-to-day operations of agricultural units that support an instructional program at Los Angeles Pierce College.

Establishes routines and performs duties related to the care of livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, burros, and/or llamas.

Develops feed formulas and mixes; distributes feed and water to animals.

Gelds and breeds animals which may include performing artificial insemination.

Diagnoses illness and provides routine health treatments and vaccinations to animals; secures the services of a veterinarian as required.

Maintains feed consumption, vaccination, breeding, health, and related records.

Gathers and summarizes data related to agricultural operations.

Cleans, sprays, disinfects, and makes repairs to animal shelters, feed and water troughs, barns, storage areas, fences, pens, corrals, and other livestock areas and performs general grounds maintenance work.

Fits tack to individual horses.

Plants, fertilizes, cultivates, waters, cuts or harvests, and stores crops, grasses, and pastures.

Prunes, shapes, and braces vines, shrubbery, and ornamental plants.

Performs soil analysis and prepares soil for planting.

Prepares and administers fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Maintains records related to planting, crop production, and crop rotation.

Assists instructional staff by preparing animals, facilities, agricultural crops, and equipment for laboratory demonstrations and exhibits.

Demonstrates techniques and assists students in the operation of various agricultural equipment and proper animal handling.

Provides work direction to student employees assigned to agricultural operations.

Prepares animals for sale and markets them through college or wholesale channels.

Operates various types of tractors and agricultural equipment.

Drives a truck to transport animals to and from the college.

Makes repairs to agricultural facilities and equipment.

Services, repairs, and returns to proper storage all agricultural equipment that is used on a daily basis.

Moves and adjusts field irrigation systems.

Maintains an inventory of supplies, materials, and equipment.

Prepares requisitions for supplies and materials.

Uses hand and power tools and arc, gas, and mig welders to perform maintenance on a variety of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Makes safety inspections of agricultural buildings, equipment, grounds, and animals; takes corrective action or reports problems to the supervisor.

Assists in the coordination of the use of agricultural facilities for special events, tours, and film crews.

Assists in the maintenance of agricultural shop tools and equipment.

Performs related duties as assigned.

An Agricultural Technician applies a working knowledge of the agricultural sciences in performing the full range of duties related to the day-to-day operations of agricultural units that support an instructional program at Los Angeles Pierce College, which includes instructional assistance, animal care, crop production, and facilities and equipment maintenance and repair.

A Senior Agricultural Technician applies a working knowledge of the agricultural sciences while acting in a lead capacity with responsibility for overseeing and participating in the day-to-day operation of agricultural units that support an instructional program at Los Angeles Pierce College which includes instructional assistance, and animal care, crop production, and facilities and equipment maintenance and repair.

An Agricultural Assistant performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks related to the day-to-day operations of an agricultural unit that supports an instructional program at Los Angeles Pierce College.

General supervision is received from a classified or academic supervisor.  Functional supervision is received from the instructional staff.  Work direction is provided to lower-level agricultural staff and student employees.

Knowledge of:

Procedures and equipment used in the selection and care of livestock such as meat and fiber animals, poultry, sheep, horses, burros, and dairy cattle

Symptoms of common animal diseases and illnesses

Basic health and veterinary care

Breeding methods of livestock

Principles and methods of soil preparation, planting, and harvesting agricultural crops

Diseases and insects affecting agricultural crops

Applicable state and local laws and regulations related to animal care, crop production, and agricultural operations

Proper and safe use of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides

Soils and fertilizers used in Southern California

Methods for the safe operation and maintenance of agricultural equipment

Methods of cleaning and caring for tack

Semi-skilled construction maintenance and repair of farm facilities

Safety requirements for handling hazardous or toxic materials

Recordkeeping procedures

Skill in:

The proper and safe operation of agricultural equipment

The proper and safe use of hand tools and power equipment

Ability To:

Care for livestock

Raise a variety of agricultural products from soil preparation through harvesting 

Administer basic health and veterinary care to animals

Provide instructional assistance to students and instructional staff

Make repairs to agricultural equipment and facilities

Execute proper breeding methods for livestock

Effectively and safely operate and make adjustments to agricultural equipment and tools

Mix and apply pesticides according to written instructions

Apply fertilizers and soil amendments in proper proportions and sequence

Perform physical work associated with agricultural work

Keep accurate and complete records

Give clear and concise instructions

Follow written and oral instructions

Effectively utilize computer hardware and software common to agricultural operations

Work effectively with students, faculty, and staff

Learn propagation techniques for grains, grasses, and flowers

Learn general and specialized computer applications

Education and Experience:

A.  An associate degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university with a major in agricultural science or a closely related field.

OR

B.  Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND two years of full-time, paid experience in the care of livestock including horses.

OR

C.  Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND two years of full-time, paid experience in farming.

OR

D.  Any equivalent combination of A., B. and C. above.

Special:

A valid Class "A" California driver's license may be required for some positions.

A valid Class "C" California driver's license may be required for some positions.

Travel to locations throughout the District may be required for some positions.

Physical Requirement:

Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.