City : Surrey, BC

Category : 2313-App'd Sci in Sustainable Agricultur

Industry : Education

Employer : Kwantlen Polytechnic University - KPU

JOB OVERVIEW:  Agricultural Assistant 

This position provides support and assistance to the Instructional Associates with the overall operation of the Horticulture Field Lab or Sustainable Agriculture Research and Teaching Farms (including facility and equipment operation and maintenance, stock inventory, and general upkeep of the grounds and crops. 

The KPU Sustainable Agriculture program will be hiring Assistants to work closely with the farm manager and faculty in the Sustainable Agriculture program in the operation of the teaching & research farm sites. The Assistants will be involved in the growing, care and harvesting of fruits and vegetables at the following three farm sites: KPU Richmond campus terraces, Garden City Farm and south Richmond Orchard. The Assistant position will involve a substantial amount of work outdoors in all weather conditions as well as physically demanding tasks. The Assistant will report to the Farm Manager and liaise with other staff, students and Faculty as needed throughout the season. The position will provide a variety of farm-related experiences and the opportunity to work with Faculty and students in ongoing research projects.  Responsibilities include:

Farm Operations
•   Crop management: seeding, planting, weeding, vegetable and fruit crops
•   Pest/disease management: application of organic amendments and pest/disease control agents
•   Operation of mechanical equipment for field preparation
•   Site management: mowing with the use of both a small tractor and weed trimmer, removal of brambles, maintenance of sheds and storage
•   Assist with the monitoring and maintenance of appropriate climate, irrigation and fertilization controls for crops grown in the fields and high tunnels as directed by the farm manager
•   Tool maintenance: sharpening and cleaning of tools and implements
•   Under supervision, apply or use, store and dispose of pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, biological control agents, fuels and lubricants as required, and as per pest management plan, and in compliance with WHMIS, MSDS and WCB standard
•   Record keeping: farm assistants will help with maintaining accurate records of work done in the field and assist with the collection and processing of field data related to research projects 

Farmer’s Market
•   Preparation: harvest and preparation of fruits and vegetables for sale at the Kwantlen Street Market 
•   Market Attendant: setup and sales during the market, tracking sales and inventor

Position hours:
•   April 4 to September 2, 2022 full-time 35 hours per week.
•   September 5 to 30, 2022 part time 14 hours per week
•   October 3- November 25, 2022 part-time 7 hours per week

Successful candidates may be working a flexible schedule coordinated between Farm Coordinator and other Assistants (spread through the week).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
•    Completion of KPU Horticulture and/or Sustainable Agriculture course(s): At least 3 AGRI courses
•    Equivalent transfer courses from other institutions or equivalent experience; however, preference will be given to KPU students

QUALIFICATIONS
•    Basic working knowledge of crop production areas and activities
•    Possession of a valid driver’s license recommended 
•    Physical fitness sufficient for significant manual labour (lifting, bending, kneeling, climbing, disassembly of machines).
•    Must be a self-starter
•    Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team
•    Must own steel toed boots, rain gear 

Click here for a more detailed job description

Some of the funding for this position may come from the Canada Summer Grant, so priority may be given to candidates who qualify for the Canada Summer Grant Criteria.
 

Note to Applicants
The University welcomes and encourages applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. If you require an accommodation through our hiring process, please include your request in the application email.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.
 
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.