Los Angeles Community College District

Acts as a lead and participates in the day-to-day operations of agricultural units that support an instructional program at Los Angeles Pierce College which includes animal care, crop production, facilities and equipment maintenance and repair, and instructional assistance duties.

Schedules, oversees, and participates in the work of staff engaged in performing the following duties:

• Preparing soil, planting, irrigating, fertilizing, cultivating, harvesting, and storing hay and other forage crops.
• Planting, pruning, shaping, bracing, watering, and fertilizing vines and ornamental plants.
• Selection, caring (including preventative and routine herd health practices and administering medical treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian), feeding, breeding, transportation, sale, and disposal of livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, burros, and/or llamas.
• Operating and maintaining a variety of agricultural machinery, equipment, tools, and facilities.

Preparing and/or mixing fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides.

Determines most efficient work procedures and techniques of assigned staff to ensure timely completion of projects and makes sure that safety standards and procedures are followed.

Recommends changes and improvements in agricultural operations, staffing, facilities, and equipment.

Answers questions, resolves problems, and maintains work schedules of assigned staff.

Assists in the coordination of agricultural operations off-site.

Assists in the implementation of security measures to prevent theft and vandalism.

Assists in the development of the annual budget and prepares requisitions for supplies and equipment as needed.

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

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.

Makes or oversees safety inspections of agricultural buildings, equipment, grounds, and animals; takes corrective action.

Makes repairs to agricultural facilities and equipment.

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.

Moves and adjusts field irrigation systems.

Provides training to assigned staff.

Gathers and summarizes data related to agricultural operations.

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

Performs related duties as assigned.

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 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.

General supervision is received from a classified or academic supervisor. Serves as a lead over assigned Agricultural Technicians, student employees, and volunteers.

Knowledge of:

Agricultural principles and methods and their application to diversified agricultural activities

Basic marketing principles of agricultural products

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

Breeding methods for livestock

Symptoms of common animal diseases and illnesses

Basic health and veterinary care

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

Propagation technique for grains, grasses, and flowers

Diseases and insects affecting agricultural crops

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

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.

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

Soils and fertilizers used in Southern California

Safety requirements for handling hazardous or toxic materials

Principles of training

Basic principles of budgeting

Organization and management of records

Capabilities of computer systems, software, and hardware common to agricultural operations

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:

Provide leadership and technical assistance to others

Provide instructional assistance to students and instructional staff

Train others in the work of the unit

Give clear and concise instructions.

Understand, interpret, and apply rules and regulations related to agricultural operations

Make recommendations on agricultural improvements

Evaluate work methods

Care for livestock

Execute proper breeding methods for livestock

Raise a variety of agricultural products from soil preparation through harvesting

Administer basic health and veterinary care to animals

Mix and apply pesticides according to written instructions

Apply fertilizers and soil amendments in proper proportions and sequence

Make repairs to agricultural equipment and facilities

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

Perform physical work associated with agricultural work

Keep accurate and complete records

Prepare accurate reports

Meet schedules and timelines

Follow written and oral instructions

Effectively utilize computer hardware and software common to agricultural operations

Work effectively with students, faculty, and staff

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 AND one year of full-time, paid experience in farming or care of livestock including horses. Experience in a lead capacity is desirable.

OR

B. Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND three years of full-time, paid experience in the care of livestock including horses. Experience in a lead capacity is desirable.

OR

C. Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND three years of full-time, paid experience in farming. Experience in a lead capacity is desirable.

OR

D. Any equivalent combination of A., B. and C. above. Experience in a lead capacity is desirable.

Special:

A valid California Class “A” driver's license may be required for some positions and must be obtained within 60 days of employment.

A valid Class “C” California driver's license is 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 his or her ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, he or she should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.