Ag Farm Operator (TEMPORARY HELP POOL 2025/2026 School Year)

Under the general direction of the Vice Principal the Ag Farm Operator overseestheoperationoftheschoolfarmasdirected; performsavarietyofsemiskilled tasks independently in the production of crops and care of livestock; assists in the maintenance and repair of structures related physical facilities and equipment; performs general custodial and grounds maintenance duties to ensure students have a safe attractive comfortable and clean place in which to learn and develop. The incumbents in this classification provide the school community with activities in support of the school farm which directly supports student learning and achievement.

The following alphabetical list of functions duties and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions duties and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assists agriculture instructors in the pick-up and delivery of livestock feed andsupplies.
• Assists agriculture staff in the maintenance of livestock barns/areas horticulture facilities pasture grounds and storageareas.
• Assists classroom teachers in agricultural laboratorysituations including supervision and/or transportation of students.
• Assistswiththe operation and repair of various systemsincluding irrigation feed delivery and environmentalcontrols.
• Irrigates trees and row crops sugar testing offruit.
• Lives in District-owned mobile home located on school farm site; watches over the farm to prevent vandalism and/or destruction of property.
• Maintains a record of time accounting work completed practices and services performed and materials used for variousprojects.
• Maintainsappropriateconfidentialityrelated tothestatusofstudentsand programactivities.
• Manages the farm in the absence of students and/or agriculturalstaff.
• Manages the feed and health care of all species oflivestock;handles livestock in a husbandry-likemanner.
• Operates a forklift or pallet jack for loading unloading shipping and receiving warehouse items or materials.
• Operatesandperformslightgeneralmaintenanceonequipmentincluding tractors power mowers sprayers and other labor-savingdevices; coordinateswithdistrictpersonneltoensure regularmaintenance or repairis performed on departmentvehicles/trailers.
• Operates power tools andstandard farmingequipment and pressure washes buildings.
• Participatesinweeklyagriculturedepartmentmeetingstoplananddevelop duty lists and present reports on duties performed or required.
• Perform semi-skilled labor in the production of row vine tree and horticultural crops; cultivates plants fertilizes and harvests annual and perennial crops; applies pesticides herbicides fungicides and performs pest control including chemicaland culturalcontrolofpests; maintainrecords related to practices/servicesperformed.
• Reads and interprets blueprints and designs.
• Repairs maintains and assists in the construction of farm fencing livestock structures andbuildings.
• Weekly work schedule may be flexed during seasonal farm crop spraying to ensure safety on school grounds.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the District including various mandatory District trainings.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

(At time of application)

Knowledge of:

• Methods practices techniques and materials used in diversified farming operations including cultivating planting irrigating fertilizing and harvesting crops and raising a variety of livestock
• Methods and materials used in chemical and cultural control and eradication of diseases and pests
• General custodial grounds maintenance and a variety of trade skills related to farming equipment and structures (e.g. carpentry plumbing electrical welding)
• Use and operation of a variety of hand tools power tools and heaving equipment used in farming

• Repair maintenance and construction of fencing livestock facilities and buildings
• Basic operation of a computer and assigned software
• Basic mathincludingcalculations usingfractionspercentagesand/or ratios

• Health andsafetypracticesand proceduresused in farming operations including proper lifting techniques

Skills and Abilities to:

• Operate heavy farming equipment such as trucks tractors implementsloaders/backhoesforklifts and other labor-saving devices
• Operate hand tools power tools and other standard equipment
• Determine facility maintenance problems and complete semi-skilled repairs utilizing a variety of trade skills (e.g. carpentry plumbing electrical welding)
• Read writeandcommunicate clearlyinEnglish
• Understand followimplementandgive oralandwrittendirectionsinEnglish
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff students administration parents and the public
• Plan and organize work and adapt to changing work priorities
• Operate a computer and assigned software
• Maintain accurate record of time and materials used
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Learn appropriatelyapply andadhereto districtpoliciesproceduresandother regulationsrelatedtothepositionand contributetothesuccessfulfulfillment oftheDistrictMission
• Learnandapplycurrenttechnologyto assignedduties
• Maintain timely regular and consistent attendance at work
• Physical stamina sufficient to maintain a strenuous work schedule
• Observe health and safety regulations
• Maintain certifications and ongoing training

RESPONSIBILITY:

Responsibilities includeworkingunder generaldirectionusing standardized methods and/or procedures providing information and/or advising others andoperatingwithinadefined budget. Utilization of some resources fromother workunits maybeto perform the jobs functions. There is a continualopportunity to have some impact on the organizations services.

(At time of application and in addition to the Knowledge Skills and Abilities listed above.)

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Two(2)yearsofprogressivelyresponsibleworkinthemanagementofa farm.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:

• Valid current California Drivers License to drive to various locations and transport equipment and materials.
• Qualified Applicator License (QAL) - must be obtained within 6 months from date of hire
• Valid Forklift Operator Certificate(must be obtained within six (6)monthsof employment)

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• Pass the Districts applicable proficiency exam for the job class with a satisfactory score
• After an offer of employment obtain:
  • Criminal Justice and FBI Fingerprint Clearance
  • Negative TB test result plus periodic post-employment retest as required (currently every four years) Pre-employment physical exam (C) through the Districts provider at the Districts expense
  • Enrollment in the Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program and submission of a current DMV driving record printout